📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / West Bengal Police
Defence
West Bengal Police seeks approval for five new India Reserve Battalions
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 03:32 AM
👁 13
The West Bengal Police has put forward a proposal to create five additional India Reserve Battalions to strengthen state security, according to a report in The Times of India.
Kolkata, Sept 28 — The West Bengal Police announced a formal proposal to raise five new India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) as part of its effort to augment law‑enforcement capacity across the state. The proposal, submitted to the state government, outlines the need for additional battalions to address rising security challenges and to provide rapid response teams in remote and urban areas.
According to the police briefing, each new IRB will be staffed with a mix of regular police personnel and specialized units, equipped with modern communication and transport assets. The plan also includes provisions for training, infrastructure development, and budget allocation for the next fiscal year.
State officials are expected to review the proposal in the upcoming cabinet meeting. If approved, the new battalions could become operational within 12 to 18 months, further bolstering the state's readiness to handle emergencies, communal tensions, and organized crime.
The move aligns with similar initiatives in other states that have expanded their IRB strength to improve overall public safety and disaster response capabilities.
According to the police briefing, each new IRB will be staffed with a mix of regular police personnel and specialized units, equipped with modern communication and transport assets. The plan also includes provisions for training, infrastructure development, and budget allocation for the next fiscal year.
State officials are expected to review the proposal in the upcoming cabinet meeting. If approved, the new battalions could become operational within 12 to 18 months, further bolstering the state's readiness to handle emergencies, communal tensions, and organized crime.
The move aligns with similar initiatives in other states that have expanded their IRB strength to improve overall public safety and disaster response capabilities.