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| Chindatharipet Police station, Chennai. dtnext.in |
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| restored police station, Chinthadaripet, Chennai..indiatimes.com |
The Chintadripet Police Station in Chennai, a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, was constructed in 1902 during the tenure of Police Commissioner Oswald Routh Jones. Strategically located in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, it continues to retain its original jurisdiction, which includes significant landmarks such as the Head Post Office, the former Central Prison, and the Chintadripet Fish Market—a bustling hub that has existed since colonial times.
Remarkably, the jurisdiction boundaries of this police station have remained unchanged for over a century, a rare continuity in urban policing. An important historical development occurred here in 1955 when the Single Digit Finger Print Section of the Tamil Nadu Finger Print Bureau, the first of its kind in South India, was established on land belonging to this police station—an initiative that marked a turning point in forensic policing in the region.
In recent decades, modernization pressures almost led to the demolition of the aging structure. However, thanks to sustained efforts by heritage activists, local historians, journalists, and public appeals, the building was spared. Their campaign highlighted the architectural and administrative legacy of the station, which played a crucial role in early law enforcement in Madras.
By October 2020, the colonial-era building was fully restored. While departments like Law and Order, Crime, and All-Women Police Wings were moved to a modern facility nearby, the Traffic Police Section continued operations in the restored heritage structure. The adjoining police quarters, spread over 33,600 sq. ft, still house personnel, preserving the site's legacy as a functioning police hub.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2021/09/colonial-police-stations-of-chennai.html
