Sea link security to go hi-tech

Security for the Bandra-Worli sea link may soon get help from hi-tech machines.

Security for the Bandra-Worli sea link may soon get help from hi-tech machines.

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The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning to procure hi-tech speed boats and high-speed bikes as part of its proposal to enhance security cover of the sea link.

With the city set to get nearly 30 km of sea bridges from Versova to Nariman Point by 2015, the MSRDC is bracing itself to protect these high-value structures from any potential terrorist strike. The MSRDC is spending close to Rs 23.5 crore for procuring various high-tech devices including high-speed boats, floating buoys, floating jetties, walkie-talkies, high-speed motorbikes, towing vans, observation towers and two movable vehicle explosive scanners, which will be able to detect explosives and weapons inside any vehicle.

All these elements will be procured by the end of this year and will be handed over to the Mumbai police who will handle the equipment.

“We have floated tenders for the equipment that will help in making the project secure,” a senior MSRDC official said, requesting anonymity. After the sea link was inaugurated in 2009, for security, there were only six CCTV installed, for the dual purpose of surveillance and for capturing images of speeding vehicles that could later be tracked and fined by the policemen.