Mumbai's coastal security in God's hands: Sena

Shiv Sena today alleged that even six years after terrorists intruded into Mumbai via a sea route and launched a spate of killings, the maritime security of the region continues to be at "God's mercy" due to "lax" attitude of government.
"Security of the coastal region of Mumbai is 'Rambharose' (at God's mercy) because government merely made tall promises in this regard but failed to implement any measures," Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Eknath Shinde said today.
He was addressing reporters after visiting Thane coastline and Versova at Ghodbunder on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of 26/11 terror strikes.

"There is no jetty here (Versova) to reach boats and policemen use ropes to reach them. Boats lay anchored in private places as there is no parking place provided. Out of two boats provided one is rendered non-functional since it developed a technical snag which has affected the patrolling," Shinde said.
The MLA alleged that government has failed to materialise any of the promises regarding strengthening of the maritime security.
Though Shinde did not refer to any specific dispensation for the security woes, his reference was obvious as Congress-NCP government was in power when the 26/11 unfolded.
"There is a huge shortage of staff at Yellow Gate and Lakdabunder police stations. A coastal police station exists at Mahim (western suburb of Mumbai) but it does not have its own premises. Though land for the police station is proposed, it is yet to get permission from Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). In Versova too, the coastal-II police station was proposed but no progress has been made," he said.

Shinde alleged that construction work of jetties in places like Bandra, Madh, near World Trade Centre, and at Kolsha Bunder got entangled in "red tape" as a result of which the actual cost of construction has gone up to Rs 32 crore from estimated Rs 27 crore.