02 January,2015 11:33 AM IST | | Laxman Singh
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation takes decision to outsource lifeguards from private agency, after attempts to strengthen the existing number fails
Taking note of the lives lost due to the scanty presence of lifeguards across the city beaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to appoint a private agency to bump this number. The firm will be responsible for deploying 100 lifeguards at various beaches. Sources claim the decision was taken considering the growing number of fatalities.
Representation pic/Thinkstock
Currently, only 36 lifeguards man seven beaches in Mumbai. In the recent past, fire brigade toyed with idea of appointing Kolis as lifeguards to increase this number. However, the plan flopped, owing to the poor turnout, and unavailability of candidates with swimming expertise.
Also, few years ago a plan to appoint female lifeguards was mooted. But the project failed to take off due to non-participation of candidates. A senior fire official said, "We are planning to outsource lifeguards from a private agency. Finalising the norms for the agency is in the last stage. Once prepared, a tender will be floated.
Lifeguards will be trained by the appointed agency. There are several agencies that provide lifeguards to beaches in the interior regions of Maharashtra and Goa. So once the tender is floated, we hope these agencies will show interest." When mid-day contacted Deputy Chief Fire Officer P S Rahangdale, in-charge of beach safety, he refused to comment.
