Ill-equipped guards struggle to curb suicides on sea link

Three deaths and five suicide attempts have raised serious concerns that the Bandra-Worli sea link may be turning into a notorious suicide point

Three deaths and five suicide attempts have raised serious concerns that the Bandra-Worli sea link may be turning into a notorious suicide point.

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Though pedestrians are not allowed on the sea link, with little security at the Worli-end, access to the bridge is not too difficult.

Evidence of this was seen last week when two people, including Lalit Sheth, founder of Shree Raj Tours and Travels, committed suicide by jumping off the bridge.

There are six private guards posted at the sea link in two shifts.

While two are at the Worli exit, four are deployed at the small and big towers on the route.

The guards are hardly equipped to curb any illegal activity, and are in no position to keep an eye out for trespassers from their check-post. One of the security guards said that they use mobile phones to communicate with each other, and have no vehicle to rush to the spot in the event of trouble.

A makeshift shade propped by bamboos stumps masquerades as a check-post for private security guards at the Worli-end.

Kamlakar Warekar, who supervises the security guards, said, "Incidents of people straying into the sea link to commit suicide are increasing. We have to be alert and keep a watch to prevent any trespassing on the sea link. The check-post's location makes it difficult to see things at a distance. If we spot a person, we either have to run behind him or, if it's too late, we have to ask for a lift from vehicles passing by."

Mohamad Tabiz, a guard at the sea link, claimed that security staff had prevented "many people from ending their lives". These people were handed over to the police, he said.

"Less is heard about such incidents since only those who jump make news. Only a couple of days back, we managed to prevent two boys from jumping into the sea. It happened late into the night, at around 2am," Tabiz said.

The guards said there needs to be a watchtower on the bridge and they require at least a two-wheeler to patrol the stretch.

They added that till the height of the side fencing is not increased, people will continue to make attempts to throw themselves over.