The drowning of the 14 computer engineering students from a Pune-based college at Murud-Janjira seems to have jolted the authorities into action. After the incident, questions were raised about the lack of lifeguards on the beach. To address the issue, a meeting was held on Monday between local residents and officials, and it was decided to train and appoint 20 lifeguards there. The 20 have been short-listed from about 50 people who underwent tests for the job before the meeting. They will be given monthly wages and will assist the local police in avoiding such incidents in future.

Rescue operation in progress at Murud beach after the students drowned last week. Pic/Shadab Khan