Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Plans Major Prison Expansion Amid 173% Overcrowding
Imagine a school with only 100 desks but 173 students.
That is what is happening in the prisons of Maharashtra, a state in India.
The prisons are very crowded, with many more people than there is space for.
One big jail in Mumbai called Arthur Road holds over 3,000 people even though it was built for about 1,000.
The government has a plan to fix this problem.
It wants to build new prisons, like one in Mankhurd, so there is more room.
It also wants to rebuild an old jail in Mumbai to make it bigger and better.
At the same time, the government is helping some people who are in jail for small problems to go home.
Judges are also visiting the jails to hear cases faster.
All these plans together are meant to make jails less crowded and safer places.
Maharashtra's prisons are operating at nearly 173% of their sanctioned capacity, with Arthur Road Central Jail housing around 3,410 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of 999.
The Home Department announced a major expansion plan, including a new modern prison on 11 acres of encroachment-free land at Mankhurd, handed over on May 15, 2026.
Mumbai Central Prison will be redeveloped with phased demolition and modern multi-storey buildings after inmates are temporarily shifted once the Mankhurd facility is completed.
The government is considering acquiring 53 acres of private land at Daravali in Borivali taluka for a proposed 1,000-inmate prison with a staff training centre and residential quarters.
To reduce the prison population, authorities are using remission releases, the 'Support to Poor Prisoners' scheme, personal bonds, and in-prison jail courts for minor offences.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Home Department and state authorities overseeing prisons.
- What
- A major prison expansion and redevelopment plan to address severe overcrowding, including new prisons at Mankhurd and Daravali.
- When
- Announced after a Free Press Journal report on July 16; the Mankhurd land was handed over on May 15, 2026.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India — specifically Mumbai (Arthur Road, Mankhurd, and Mumbai Central Prison) and Daravali in Borivali taluka.
- Why
- Prisons in Maharashtra are operating at nearly 173% of their sanctioned capacity, causing severe overcrowding.
- Prison occupancy
- Nearly 173% of sanctioned capacity
- Arthur Road Central Jail
- Around 3,410 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of 999
- Overcrowded facilities
- Arthur Road, Thane and Taloja
- Mankhurd prison land
- 11 acres, handed over on May 15, 2026
- Daravali acquisition
- 53 acres of private land in Borivali taluka
- Proposed Daravali capacity
- 1,000 inmates, plus staff training centre and residential quarters
- Redevelopment plan
- Phased demolition and modern multi-storey buildings
- Original report
- Free Press Journal, July 16