Target: A part of the Rs 1,600-crore Bandra Worli Sea Link will be open to public from January next year

The Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) is yet to be operational, but that has not stopped the structure from possibly being another terrorist target in the city. Yesterday, a few officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) visited the site of the Rs 1,600-crore project apart from monitoring major railway stations and junctions. An ATS officer said a few officers were deployed for patrolling other vital locations in the city to keep a check on terrorist activities. Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the serial blasts on Mumbai's western railway.

Soft target

ATS officials wanted to review the entry and exit points at both ends, possible soft targets and the approximate time terrorists would need to escape using the sea link. The assessment was to help officials determine spots where police officials should be stationed.

Parambir Singh, additional commissioner of police (ATS), said, "This was a routine check as it is one of the important structures in Mumbai." Another official of the MSRDC was more forthcoming, "They visited our office to inquire about the various features of BWSL.
Usually, such security checks are mandatory for bridges, sea and rail links." The ATS officers were then supposed to meet other superiors from MSRDC. Satish Gavai, vice-chairman and managing director, MSRDC, said, "I don't know the purpose of their visit, but it might be a routine assessment."

The under-construction BWSL will become one of the most important mediums of travel for nearly 1.2 lakh motorists every day.

Prime targets
 
>>Mantralaya
>>Greater Post Office
>>Director General of Police (Colaba)
>>Mumbai Police Commissioner's office (Crawford Market)
>>BARC (Trombay)
>>ONGC rig
>>Vidhan Bhavan