MSRDC, MEPID say adequate security measures taken at sea link

MUMBAI: Adequate measures have been taken to prevent suicides or possible terror attacks at Bandra-Worli Rajiv Gandhi sea link here, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation ( MSRDC) and Mumbai Entry Point Infrastructure Developers ( MEPID) informed the Bombay High Court today.

Both the organisations were responding to a PIL filed by activist Ketan Tirodkar which demanded security measures and surveillance at the sea link due to a rash of suicides.

The PIL alleged that MEPID and MSRDC are not looking after the maintenance and security at the 4.8-km long bridge, which is vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

An affidavit filed by MEPID, which collects the toll, said that it would be installing 80 CCTV cameras at this cable-stayed bridge within a period of two months and the work order for this purpose has already been issued.

Currently, only 10 cameras are installed at the bridge, said the affidavit filed by Shaswat Singh Gadre, authorised signatory of MEPID.

MEPID has deputed 30 security guards, who work in three shifts every day at the sea link. Additionally, 6 riders in three shifts (two riders per shift) are continuously monitoring the traffic movement on the bridge by patrolling round the clock, the affidavit further said.

However, MEPID said it was beyond its purview and powers to increase the height of the railing on the sea link, as pleaded in the PIL.

Since the major portion of the bridge is in the middle of the sea it is impossible to provide any net or barbed wire fence which may eventually lead into eventuality of serious tragedy due to rain or wind as the barbed fencing can get uprooted and may come on the main carriage way, it said.

Even X-ray machines are also beyond its purview and powers, MPEID said and denied that it had failed to perform its duties as alleged in the PIL.

MPEID said it was spending around Rs 10 crore on the installation of cameras, expenses for employing security guards, maintenance of infrastructure (motorcycles and cameras) and annual maintenance charges.