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Second sea link suicide in six days raises security concerns
The lack of sufficient security arrangements on the Bandra-Worli sea link, especially the Worli end of the bridge, has made it vulnerable to suicide attempts.
The lack of sufficient security arrangements on the Bandra-Worli sea link, especially the Worli end of the bridge, has made it vulnerable to suicide attempts.
Monday saw the city’s third suicide from the sea link since the sea link became operational three years ago.
So far, six persons have attempted suicide, three of whom entered the sea link on foot from Worli.
Around 3.30pm on Monday, an unidentified man flung himself into the sea after slipping past the security guards, making it the second suicide in less than a week.
A grand Rs50-crore security plan was drawn up by the police in 2009, which includes high-speed boats, floating buoys, floating jetty, walkie-talkies, high-speed motor bikes, towing vans, observation tower and explosive scanners, but so far the MSRDC has installed just six CCTV cameras, of which three are not working.
Some traffic constables are posted near the sea link, but they are busy manning the traffic and have no opportunity to keep a watch on the entrance to the sea link.
On the other hand, the private security guards stationed at the Worli entrance are not trained to detect and handle such problems, the police said.
On Monday, the man who committed suicide gave the guards the slip and entered the sea link on foot.
While the police praise the effort made by Kamal Ali Abu Sama, 23, one of the guards who jumped into the sea to save the man, they think the sea link needs to have tighter security. “There must be more security presence to keep a tab on pedestrians entering it,” said Jevan Kharat, police inspector, Worli police station. “The height of the fencing also needs to be raised.”
The cash-strapped MSRDC remains vague about how it plans to improve security on the sea link. “There is a proposal to increase the number of CCTV cameras,” a senior MSRDC official said, requesting anonymity. “We look forward to suggestions from people.”
At the MSRDC board meeting on August 9, security issues on the sea link are likely to be discussed.
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