Senior police officers suggested engaging specialised private agencies, training local youth and investing in modern rescue infrastructure for safety at Maharashtra’s beach sites
Pune: Maharashtra police have allocated 440 home guards for beach safety along the 530.7km Konkan coastline across Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in the absence of a dedicated beach safety force in Maharashtra. Raigad has received 176 home guards, Ratnagiri 150 and Sindhudurg 100 personnel. There are not more than 50 famous beach sites across over 500km of coastline.
Because they have advanced equipment, trained personnel and international-level beach safety orientation, “Goa govt has roped in private companies/institutes. Therefore, we need to have a scientific approach.
Anchal Dalal, superintendent of police (SP), Raigad, told TOI , “We have decided to impart specialised beach safety training to the home guards at an institution expert in this domain. She said the home guards would be provided equipment, including craft with floating structures, while the district administration would involve local residents in safety initiatives. Raigad has around 120km of coastline, making coordinated efforts essential, Dalal said. The appointment of home guards is good at this stage, but more initiatives should be taken,” a senior police officer said. Another officer said, “We have a vast coastline compared to Goa.
Besides, we have appointed eight lifeguards at eight crucial beaches, including Diveagar and Kashid. In Maharashtra, nothing of this sort was ever thought of in the past. So beaches are in sporadic places. We can train local youths at national or private institutes and deploy them on beaches permanently. It will be a long-term solution.”
Eight students of a coaching institute in Alandi, near Pune, drowned near Diveagar beach in Raigad district on Oct 1. An average of 30 tourists drown every year across the three districts, according to the state police records. Another senior officer said, “The state police took the matter seriously only after the Diveagar tragedy and gave us about 150 home guards. A lifeguard generally covers around 150 metres of beach, while CCTV feeds enable supervisors to identify incidents and alert rescue personnel, according to Collaco.
We have not conducted scientific mapping of these beaches and therefore do not know the safe and danger zones. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news.
Residents and hoteliers in coastal areas said authorities had failed to put adequate safety mechanisms in place despite repeated drowning deaths. Ratnagiri SP Nitin Bagate told TOI , “We have procured robotic water craft for quick rescue operation and in the process of procuring drones. Sindhudurg SP Mohan Dhaikar said, “We have a total coastline of 120km, with stretches of beaches ranging from 2km to 4km. He said local police stations had patrolling teams, but their personnel were not specifically trained in beach rescue operations. Senior police officers who have served in the Konkan region said the deployment of home guards was a necessary immediate response, but not a substitute for a permanent beach safety system. Lt Col Austin Collaco (retd), general manager (operations and training) of Drishti Marine Lifesavers in Goa, told TOI that lifeguards there were equipped with water bikes, oxygen cylinders and basic medical kits, while watchtowers and CCTV systems helped monitor beaches. Officials and experts said Maharashtra needed a coordinated, science-based approach to safeguard its coastline.
Ratnagiri has a coastline of 270km, the longest in a district in the country. The home guards will be trained and deployed at the district’s major tourist destinations, including Ganapatipule, Mandavi, Aare Ware, Bhatye, Malgund, Guhagar and Velas. We have also demanded for more speed boats. We use some boats of Indian Coast Guard in emergency situations. We also have a team of officers who are experts in the coastal security. We will deploy this force across the main beach sites. But we need dedicated beach safety experts on the lines of Goa. Only then will we be able to enhance safety and save lives. Cut to Sindhudurg. Seven tourists, including four minors, drowned at Shiroda Velagar beach in Vengurla taluka last October after entering the sea without understanding its depth and water currents. It is difficult to keep track of every activity. They suggested engaging specialised private agencies, training local youth and investing in modern rescue infrastructure. Goa’s model offers a possible template. Trained lifeguards, hazard mapping, surveillance and emergency response systems can prevent further loss of life at beach sites. Download the TOI App.