Baywatch sham! Only 32 lifeguards for 10 lakh beachgoers in Mumbai

Girgaum Chowpatty has only three lifeguards for the 2km stretch Pic Bipin KokateWhile Mumbais filthy beaches are nothing to write home about For many they still continue to be a source of comfort from the unrelenting chaos of the megalopolis But the city has shown little regard for the men who guard us against the vagaries of the ocean The six key beaches of Mumbai have only 32 lifeguards working in two separate shifts dailyThe inadequate number of lifeguards is not just the result of the authorities lack of vision but also the deplorable benefits and facilities offered to its staffThe only watchtower at Juhu Chowpatty collapsed during high tide early this week Pic Satej ShindeMumbai has six major beaches that witness a footfall of over 1 lakh daily On weekends and holidays this number goes up to 10 lakh But the Mumbai fire brigade which employs and trains these lifeguards hasnt recruited anyone since 2012 The apathetic approach has left the city with just 32 staff to protect the citys beaches As per international standards there should be one lifeguard for every 300m stretchGirgaum Chowpatty one of the most important beaches in the city has only three lifeguards manning the 2km stretch Of these one is a permanent employee while others work on contract basis We manage the duties among ourselves But manpower shortage results in poor beach surveillance says a contractual lifeguard We mostly get help from the tourist police the special wing of the Mumbai Police to keep eye on tourist spots who make the rounds of the beach he addsDadar Chowpatty guards donrsquot have their own space and are forced to take shelter in shops during heavy rain Pic Sameer MarkandeNo room to call our ownThe lack of infrastructure at these spots only makes matters worse For instance Girgaum Chowpatty has a onestorey wooden watchtower The beach is a lowlying area which makes it difficult for us to keep a watch from the temporary watchtower which is located further behind says another lifeguardFurther with no binoculars or whistles lifeguards are forced to stand near the shoreline to keep a close eye on the activities As per the norm every lifeguard must have at least an identifiable place to sit a uniform a binocular a whistle and a vehicle for surveillance Weve got nothing says a lifeguardDadar Chowpatty has its own set of problems The lifeguards at Girgaum have been given a place to monitor activities from Here we have nothing says a Dadar lifeguard This stretch has two permanent and five contractual guards working in shiftsSince its a narrow beach during high tide the water covers a major distance of the shore and the lifeguards are forced to stand in one of the bylanes near KirtiCollege Chaityabhoomi or HindujaHospital Say we are standing near KirtiCollege and someone is drowning at Chaityabhoomi we either have to ride there on our bike or jump into the sea and swim there a lifeguard explainsAlso because there is no place from where they can operate guards keep their rescue ringtube at the nearbyShivajiParkfire station By then a lot of time is lostGirgaum Chowpatty only has three lifeguards manning the 2km stretch The guards only have a ramshackle onestorey wooden watchtower in the name of infrastructure Pics Bipin KokateNothing for contract staffAll contractual staff is hired on the basis of a runswimrun test in which they have to run for 200 km and swim the same distance But after getting recruited no special training is provided We learn rescue techniques from the permanent staff or seniors at the beach says a lifeguardContractual lifeguards get a salary of Rs 12000 with no medical benefits or leave If we are absent for even a day they cut Rs 350Rs 400 We dont have an identification card or uniform So when we take a rescued person to the hospital we have to prove our identification and in the process we get embroiled in paperwork with the police says a lifeguard at Juhu ChowpattyThis 56kmlong beach which has the maximum number of lifeguards also lost its wooden watchtower during high tide on July 24 Now we are forced to sit wherever we find place We keep our belongings at the nearby police chowky he says