Gorakhpur (UP)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said security is the foremost prerequisite for good governance, asserting that sustained efforts in police reforms, training and infrastructure have helped create a better law and order environment in the state.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a modern security building in the Shri Gorakhnath temple area here.

"Security is the first condition of good governance. Every individual needs security, and while governments have always made efforts in this direction, earlier the focus was largely limited to recruitment," he said.

The chief minister said that merely recruiting personnel was not sufficient, stressing the importance of training and proper facilities.

"A constable, sub-inspector or any police officer comes from among us. Without proper training and infrastructure, they remain like any ordinary citizen and cannot perform their duties effectively," he said.

Highlighting changes since 2017, Adityanath said more than half of police posts were vacant in the state when his government came to power.

He added that while the training capacity earlier was limited to around 3,000 personnel at a time, it has now increased to about 6,000 simultaneously due to improved infrastructure.

He said that earlier, police stations, outposts and barracks lacked basic residential facilities, forcing personnel to live in difficult conditions, which often led to complaints and operational challenges.

"Today, we have ensured residential facilities for around 200 personnel in every police line, with separate arrangements for men and women. This has addressed many longstanding issues," he said.

Referring to infrastructure upgrades, he said the Gorakhnath police station serves as a model for modern policing facilities, adding that improved buildings, barracks and logistical support have strengthened policing on the ground.

Adityanath said better infrastructure, timely recruitment and enhanced training have together created a more secure environment in the state, which in turn has contributed to establishing a model of good governance.

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sayings, he said expectations from personnel must be matched with adequate facilities.

"Earlier, police stations lacked space and amenities, making it difficult to detain accused persons or manage operations effectively. Now such constraints have been addressed," he said.

Adityanath said modern facilities, including barracks, offices and meeting halls, ensure that police personnel remain available at all times and are better equipped to respond to security challenges.

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He added that the newly inaugurated security building near the Gorakhnath temple would serve as a model, providing accommodation and operational facilities for senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police and other officials, as well as personnel from specialised forces such as the National Security Guard.

"This model will help strengthen the vision of good governance and a developed India," he said.