Nearly two years after it was proposed, Mumbai has opened its first detention centre for illegal foreign nationals in Bhoiwada. The facility became operational on March 26 and currently houses around 40 Bangladeshi nationals awaiting deportation.
The Maharashtra government approved two detention centres for illegal foreign nationals in July 2024: a temporary 80-capacity facility in Bhoiwada and a permanent 213-capacity one at Balegaon SRPF grounds in Navi Mumbai. Delays in operationalising the Bhoiwada centre arose from inter-departmental disagreements. The Social Justice and Special Assistance (SJSA) department had reservations about managing foreign nationals, while police noted they were not accused in criminal cases.
The SJSA department eventually took charge. A senior officer said, "On March 26, the facility that can house nearly 80 people was made operational; it was taken over by the Social Welfare department with security provided by the Maharashtra State Security Force within the compound and a constable outside the two-storey structure that has 20 rooms each floor with two bunk beds on either sides."
The centre is divided into sections for 60 men and 20 women, with facilities including food, bathrooms and bunk beds. However, an officer said the female section has filled up due to more women being detained than expected, forcing some to be housed in police stations. "We will request the Social Welfare department to make necessary changes," the officer added.
In 2025, police deported between 1,058 and 1,061 Bangladeshi nationals. This year until March-end, nearly 400 have been detained, with Mumbai police accounting for 220 and other units 180. The official noted that while capacity may sometimes be inadequate, it should suffice as detainees stay only a few weeks before deportation. The Navi Mumbai centre has completed tendering but is not yet operational.
