Murud tragedy: HC seeks to know steps taken to secure beaches

Mumbai: A day after 14 students drowned off the popular Murud-Janjira beach in Raigad district, the Bombay High Court Tuesday sought to know from Maharashtra government what measures it has taken to keep beaches secure so as to avoid such incidents.

Advocate Jamshed Mistry today mentioned a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manch on the issue of beach safety before a division bench headed by Justice N H Patil and said in 2006 the high court had passed certain directions on the issue.

According to Mistry, the High Court had then asked the government and civic body to ensure setting up of watch towers with floodlights and appointment of life guards at beaches. But the authorities have not implemented any direction.

Mistry also pointed out to the court the incident of 14 students from a Pune college drowning off the Murud Janjira beach yesterday.

The students were part of an around 130-strong picnic group from the Inamdar College in Pune. They had gone to Murud in three buses.

The High Court has posted the petition for hearing tomorrow and asked the government to state what steps and measures it has taken till date to ensure safety in beaches.