Tihar Jail is Moving! Delhi Plans a New Prison on City Outskirts.

Representational Image | Source: Business Standard

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Tuesday (March 25) that the government will build a new prison on the outskirts of the city to replace Tihar Jail. As part of the 2025-26 budget, ?10 crore has been set aside for surveys and consultancy services to plan the project.

Tihar Jail is the largest and most high-security prison in India. It houses a mix of inmates, including gangsters, politicians, and well-known personalities. The prison was originally built in 1958 with space for just 1,273 prisoners. Over the years, its capacity was increased to about 6,000, but today, it holds over 13,000 inmates—far beyond what it was designed for.

Tihar was first set up in a small village near Delhi and was under Punjab’s administration until 1966, when it was handed over to the Delhi government. It later became the main prison for the capital, eventually expanding into a complex of nine jails. By the 1980s, overcrowding had become a major concern, leading to various reforms.

One of the most significant changes came in 1994 when Kiran Bedi, the first woman Inspector General of Prisons, introduced programs to improve the lives of inmates. These included education, job training, and even meditation sessions, which received international recognition.

Tihar Jail also runs a prison industry where inmates make and sell products like bakery goods, furniture, and textiles under the ‘Tihar’ brand.

With the increasing number of prisoners, the need for a new, better-equipped facility has become urgent. The government’s plan to shift Tihar Jail is aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving prison conditions. The exact location and timeline for the project are yet to be finalized.