Locals say bollards block ambulances, fire engines, garbage trucks, and even vehicles of fisherfolk, urging BMC to explore controlled-access alternatives
Police stopped visitors from taking their vehicles onto the beach. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
Following the incident on Monday, September 8, when a minivan got stuck on Gorai beach during high tide, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) R Central Ward began installing barricades at the two beach entrances to prevent vehicles from entering and causing similar accidents.
The barricades were put up about two to three days ago. At one entrance, a log and a barricade were placed to block vehicles, while at the other, steel bollards were installed, allowing pedestrians through but stopping vehicles. However, on Friday, BMC officials removed the bollards after locals raised objections.
BMC officials also removed bollards placed at the beach entrance
Residents argued that permanent fixtures like bollards would also block emergency vehicles from accessing the beach.
“If an accident happens on the road, the whole road is not shut down. This solution of bollards is not feasible, as in any situation like a drowning, ambulances will not be able to reach the beach to save the person,” said Switsy Henriques, president of the Gorai Villagers Welfare Association.
Locals try to pull out the stuck van on Monday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Rossi D’Sousa, a member of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat and local activist, told mid-day, “There are multiple resorts on the beach, and in case of a fire at one of them, the fire brigade won’t be able to reach the resort in time.”
Adding to this, he said, “Even the daily BMC garbage collection trucks and beach-cleaning trucks won’t be able to enter to do their work, which is very important for keeping the beach clean.” Henriques further added, “We need a better solution than just blocking the paths for all vehicles. Even the fishermen of the area enter the beach with their vehicles to carry heavy loads of fish and ice. They know how to be safe in the water and are aware of the right times to enter the beach. It is unfair to them if all vehicles are banned.”
Suggesting an alternative, D’Sousa said, “Boom barriers or boom gates would be the best solution, as they would allow the person managing the barrier to identify who has come for leisure and who is a local arriving for work.”
When mid-day contacted BMC to ask about their future plans for safety measures, no response was received till press time.
Sept 8
Day the minivan got stuck on the beach
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