After fancy bicycles, Mumbai Police to patrol on Segways

The customised Segways for the Mumbai Police will have carriers to keep walkie-talkies, radio sets, and diaries to maintain records. Illustration/Uday Mohite

Watching kids ride Segways on the Marine Drive promenade has become a usual sighting, especially after the craze for the self-balancing electric scooter hit the city two years ago. As if they weren't enough to disrupt traffic on the walkers' paradise, the Mumbai Police's patrolling staff will now join them. According to sources, in order to make patrolling sessions less tiring and daunting, cops posted at Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty will be given Segways to keep tight vigilance.

The move comes barely two years after the Mumbai Police introduced fancy bicycles for cops patrolling on city beaches and promenades.

Confirming the development, a senior police official said that the Mumbai Police is attempting to revolutionise its patrolling duty measures to meet international standards. "Segways are being used by several police departments across the world. The scooters can quickly reach the spot and can ply on beaches too," the official said. Currently, Segways are being used by the Australian, New Zealand, Thailand, German and Chinese police forces.

The Mumbai Police has already procured two Segways for trial purpose. These have been installed with small police beacons and carriers to keep walkie-talkies, radio sets, and diaries to maintain records. The scooter batteries will be recharged at the beat chowkies or nearby local police stations. "If the concept fits well, it will be implemented across the city and more Segways will be included on important promenades," he added.

Usually, cops patrol on bikes or cycles

In June 2015, the Mumbai Police had launched a massive bicycle-patrolling project. Around 24 bicycles were procured for cops patrolling on Juhu and Girgaum Chowpatty and the Shivaji Park beach.

While bicycles require manual effort, the Segway, which has a maximum speed of 20kmph and can run for five to seven hours once charged, will be less demanding on the staff. "It will make the job a lot easier and will also increase efficiency when it comes to ensuring safety and security," another official said. The scooters, however, aren't easy to operate or balance on. "The patrolling staff will be trained to use them," the official said.