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ShareMumbai: Granting the police’s request of dedicated security for the Bandra-Worli sea link, the home department on Monday released Rs54 crore for the project. The 4.7-km bridge will now be protected by state-of-the-art boats, censors and high-speed motorbikes.
The issue of securing the sea link and the periphery of the Gateway of India was discussed at length in a meeting held by home minister RR Patil with top officials from the home department on Monday. The police, in a detailed plan submitted to the department, had suggested round-the-clock sea-borne security for these sites.
The plan envisages two control rooms and floating jetties, apart
from two high-speed boats with additional manpower. “The security plan also comprises additional CCTVs, scanners on the surface of the sea link, and censors between poles. This would ensure the bridge is safe from any possible terror attack, and will also help avert accidents,” Patil said.
A dedicated manpower of four police sub inspectors, eight head constables and 52 policemen, with an estimated cost of Rs10 lakh per month, had also been suggested, as were two high-speed boats and floating reflector buoys (an anchored float which forms a navigation mark). “The navigation electronics for the boats will comprise a radar, compass, navigation lights, a public address system and fire fighting appliances,” said an official from the home department.
The home department has also appointed a committee, headed by additional chief secretary Chandra Iyengar, to study the security at the Gateway of India, a key entry point into the city. “It will suggest on the usefulness of various safety and security measures like numbering of the boats at the jetty, frisking people using the route etc. We do not want to disturb tourists and other passengers, but at the same time, security concerns also cannot be underestimated,” Patil said.
