Watchtowers, lifeguards to curb drowning off Marina

At a meeting held at the Secretariat on Friday, the Greater Chennai Corporation was asked to coordinate with the police and Fire and Rescue Services departments.

The State government was forced to create an action plan to deal with the deaths on Marina beach, as the beach records at least five drowningsevery month.

According to an official source from the Corporation, the meeting was convened by the Home department at the Secretariat, where various line departments, including the Greater Chennai Corporation, took part.

At the meeting, the government has decided to create a comprehensive plan of action for the rescue of people from drowning on the Marina Beach. Also, the roles and responsibilities of each of the participating department have been finalisedin the meeting.

Without disclosing much about the proposed plan, an official said that the civic body’s role is to support the Fire and Rescue Services department with manpower and equipment. Also, along with the Coastal Security Group and Fire and Rescue Services department, it would erect watchtowers and fencing, and install new warning boards at the spots deemed ‘most dangerous’, theofficial hinted.

Even though the world-famous beach extends from Fort St George to Foreshore Estate, most number of drowning cases are reported on the stretch between Anna Square and Light House, a two-kilometre area.

As of now, there are no watchtowers or lifeguards deployed by the Police department on the beach, leaving it to the local fishermen to rescue the victims. Only the Mounted Police wing is patrolling along the tideline to warn the tourists going deep into the water.

The meeting was held in the backdrop of the death of Veni Shaila, who died while exchanging wedding anniversary rings with her husband on Palavakkam beach. The couple was standing in the water while a giant wave pulled her into the sea.