The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the state home department on a public interest litigation seeking better security measures and a surveillance network on the Bandra Worli Sea Link that has seen a spate of suicides in past 15 days.
A division bench of justices PV Hardas and Anuja Prabhudessai also issued notices to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and Mumbai Entry Point Infrastructure Development (MEPID), the bodies responsible for maintenance, surveillance and toll collection on the bridge.
The HC was hearing a petition by former journalist Ketan Tirodkar seeking action to safeguard the bridge and "prevent it from turning into a suicide point and a possible terror target."
In his petition, Tirodkar has cited loopholes in the security provided by MSRDC and MEPID. "The Bandra Worli Sea Link is fast becoming the favoured suicide spot for disheartened citizens," states the petition.
Since its inauguration in 2009, the engineering marvel is slowly attaining the dubious distinction of a suicide magnet. Four people have ended their lives by jumping off the bridge in the past two week, taking the overall toll to nine.
Tirodkar seeks better and more CCTVs from the present count of six. He has demanded that that MEPID and MSRDC be told to pay compensation to the government for failing to install sufficient security and surveillance infrastructure.
The petition has sought that a first information report be filed against MEPID and MSRDC for criminal negligence, because of which "there is threat to the security and safety of Mumbai's common people".
It also prays to set up better cameras that can get a complete view of the whole bridge from all possible angles, installation of X- Ray machines at both entry points to detect explosives, if any, on passing vehicles and a hi-tech under water surveillance network.
The counsel for MSRDC sought time to file its reply. The matter will be heard after two weeks.
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