Watch out: Juhu beach set to get three watchtowers

Taking stock of drowning incidents when MV Wisdom got stranded on city's shores, government will erect three 20 foot-tall watchtowers by early next year

Watch out: Juhu beach set to get three watchtowers

Taking stock of drowning incidents when MV Wisdom got stranded on city's shores, government will erect three 20 foot-tall watchtowers by early next year

With the recent incidents of vessels running aground and people risking their lives to get a closer look at them exposing the city's preparedness to conduct rescue operations, Juhu beach is now set to get three 20 foot-tall watchtowers, complete with amenities like search lights and quick descent poles, like the ones seen in fire stations.u00a0

Apart from this, last month, the lifeguards at the beach received two hi-tech jet skis called Yamaha VX 700 or popularly Wave Runners. These twin cylinder 701cc engine jet skis cost over Rs 11 lakh a piece and can reach speeds of over 40 knots, equivalent to a sports car racing at over 250kmph on the road.

While the location of the three watchtowers are yet to be decided, the whole project is expected to cost approximately Rs 3.5 crore. Calling it a necessity for the safety of visitors to the beach, Neville David, president of Juhu Beach Lifeguard Association, said, "The towers will be made of non-corrosive stainless steel and in the long run will require minimum maintenance."
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Over 30 years ago, the beach possessed watchtowers made of concrete that fell into disuse. "The earlier concrete towers were not at all impressive. High tides washed away the outer cement and the exposed inner rods got corroded because of saline conditions," David said.

Confirming the news, Mumbai Collector (suburbs) Nirmal Deshmukh said the project is still in its initial stages and will be complete by early next year. "The watch towers will cover Juhu Koliwada, on the southern end, to Ruia Park, on the northern side, and will help minimise incidents of drowning," he said.

The reason behind this step is the recent incidents of MV Wisdom and MT Pavit running into the city's shores and people risking their lives to get close to them. "In the last two months, over 40 people were rescued and over four people died of drowning. The new watchtowers will help the lifeguards increase their vigilance," David said.

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