HC asks State Cabinet to review beach safety norms draft

Mumbai, July 13 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the State Cabinet to review the beach safety norms, drafted by the State Tourism Department, within four weeks to ensure safety along Maharashtra's 700-km coastline.

A division bench of Justices R M Lodha and S J Vazifdar, while passing the orders, posted the next hearing for September 13.

On the last occasion, the court had directed Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to appoint guards to monitor the beaches in Mumbai.

The directions were in response to a public interest litigation filed by Mr Bhagwanji Rayani of Janhit Manch, an NGO.

The court was told, on behalf of the state government, that most beaches in the state were not suitable for swimming, neither were they sitable for watersports like in Goa.

However, the court has asked the Cabinet to keep in mind Goa's safety measures while perusing the draft submitted today.

The recommendations also included some points put forth by the petitioner like erection of beach towers and provision of safety equipment at beaches, despite they being a part of the safety norms in practice currently.

The Tourism Department has to identify the beaches that are to be provided with the maximum safety measures.

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