BMC To Deploy 137 Lifeguards Across Mumbai Beaches; Private Agency Tender Floated For 3-Year Contract

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a tender to appoint a private agency responsible for the manning, operation, and maintenance of lifeguard services under the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) for a period of three years.

### Increasing Lifeguard Strength to Enhance Visitor Safety

In response to the consistently high footfall on city beaches and the need to improve safety for visitors, the BMC has decided to increase the number of lifeguards from 93 to 137. This move aims to ensure better surveillance and quicker emergency responses along Mumbai’s coastline.

### High-Risk Beaches Identified for Enhanced Coverage

Mumbai, bordered by the Arabian Sea on three sides, boasts a coastline stretching 149 kilometers. After assessing various factors such as visitor footfall, sea currents, and beach terrain, the MFB has identified six high-risk beaches prone to drowning incidents. These include:

– Girgaon and Dadar in the city
– Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai in the suburbs

These popular beach destinations attract lakhs of visitors annually, especially during the monsoon season. Tourists often gather to witness the high tidal waves, sometimes venturing dangerously close to rough seas.

### Lifeguard Deployment and Emergency Preparedness

Currently, the BMC and MFB deploy 93 lifeguards provided by a private agency throughout the year. Additionally, a standby team of 11 civic personnel remains on alert and is mobilized during major drowning incidents.

A senior fire official stated, “We have observed a steady rise in the number of beachgoers, particularly among youngsters who often ignore warning signs and venture into rough seas, putting their lives at risk. Compared to the growing number of visitors, the lifeguard strength is insufficient. To ensure a quicker response and reduce the burden on existing staff, we are increasing the number of lifeguards.”

### Private Agency to Manage Lifeguard Services for Three Years

The appointed private agency will provide 137 lifeguards under a three-year contract spanning from 2025 to 2028.

“To ensure round-the-clock vigilance and enable quicker responses during emergencies, the lifeguards will be deployed in two shifts across the city’s beaches,” added the fire official.

The deployment will also include seven jet skis, floating stretchers, rescue boats, lifebuoys, tubes, and ropes — all essential equipment for effective rescue operations.

### BMC Plans Robotic Buoys for Additional Safety Measures

In a bid to further strengthen rescue operations during drowning incidents, the BMC has recently invited a tender to procure six robotic life-saving buoys.

An official noted that ideally, there should be one lifeguard stationed every 100 meters along the coastline. However, many stretches currently lack adequate coverage, with some areas having no lifeguards for several kilometers — posing serious safety concerns.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bmc-to-deploy-137-lifeguards-across-mumbai-beaches-private-agency-tender-floated-for-3-year-contract