Aug. 20: Calcutta's growing highrise sprawl, population spurt and soaring crime graph have again forced a law-and-order stretch, splitting a police station each in the south and north into two.

Narendrapur will be a new police station in the south, carved out of Sonarpur. In the north, Baguiati police station is being split, the offshoot being named Baguiati East.

A new police station means better vigil with more manpower, police officers said.

Sonarpur police station's jurisdiction spans a population of seven lakh over 179sq km, which includes 11 gram panchayats and 35 wards of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality.

In the past decade, Sonarpur, once a small town, has metamorphosed into an extension of Calcutta with hordes of working professionals moving into apartments there. Improved connectivity to the Bypass and a nearby Metro link have contributed to the suburb becoming one of the fastest growing real estate zones around the city.

The influx of people has not only changed the population profile of the area, but also triggered a shift in the nature of crime. More incidents of robbery and snatching have been reported over the past few years than ever before, police officers said.

Last April, a gang of seven entered a jewellery shop near Sonarpur railway station and shot dead one of its owners before fleeing with their loot. "This is a clear sign of crime growing along with a change in the population pattern," a senior police officer said.

Along the 4km stretch from Garia Main Road to Sonarpur railway station, there is a new housing complex every 100 metres on either side of the 20ft wide thoroughfare.

To meet the needs of the growing population - up from 2.3 lakh in 1994 to 4.8 lakh by 2011 - commercial activity has expanded too. A shopping mall and scores of stores and eateries now line the road.

Pallab Das, chairman of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality, described the decision to carve a new police station out of the existing one as a practical step. "This is a very effective move to cope with the challenge of policing an increasing population. More people are buying property in this area and the split will help the police serve us better."

Baguiati police station, covering 13sq km and a population of more than 6 lakh, faces a bigger challenge. "At least 15 bars and restaurants along VIP Road are under this police station's jurisdiction. Brawling, lewd remarks targeting women, burglary and even arms and ammunition trading are routinely reported in this area. We need more manpower," the officer said.