Kolkata: Alarmed by a spurt in drowning incidents in the Hooghly this year, the Kolkata Police has decided to fence off the ghats in the city. The 67 drownings off the Hooghly ghats this year and the 150-odd missing cases since Covid years have prompted cops to decide on the safety guard.
The safe net discussion resurfaced in a meeting after the disappearance of entrepreneur Sandipan Pramanik (53), a resident of Loudon Street, since Thursday evening.Police said the businessman was last seen moving towards Judges Ghat but multiple searches by disaster management group teams have not yet yielded any result.
Police have proposed installing an under-water net above the river bed. They also want to put rubber balloons and tyres in the water so that anyone drowning can clutch on to them and save themselves. The proposal has been discussed with port authorities, who themselves had a meeting on it. If things work according to plans, the first set of nets will be put up within the first two months next year.
“Most drownings are due to suicide or youngsters taking a plunge without knowing swimming or negligence by revellers during Holi. Deaths during idol immersions are now rare. We have been advising people to be careful while entering the waters,” said an officer from Kolkata River traffic police.
In the first phase, the police have decided to put up fences at nine ghats, the preparatory work for which has begun. “We have requested the port authorities to help out. We are making a provision for funds. Experts will examine the matter, identify the locations, and submit a list of structures to be built around the ghats to prevent drownings. The project will be carried out in coordination with other agencies concerned,” a senior Lalbazar officer told TOI.
Kolkata Police has also begun procuring underwater cameras and drones to search for missing persons in the Hooghly. They have also directed divers and river traffic cops to be on stand-by and to keep all equipment ready for any sudden emergency. Following an inspection on Thursday, cops had called for tenders to build a platform-cum-shelter for life-saving equipment at Gwalior Ghat. The tender also asked vendors to supply the life-saving equipment.
We also published the following articles recently
The safe net discussion resurfaced in a meeting after the disappearance of entrepreneur Sandipan Pramanik (53), a resident of Loudon Street, since Thursday evening.Police said the businessman was last seen moving towards Judges Ghat but multiple searches by disaster management group teams have not yet yielded any result.
Police have proposed installing an under-water net above the river bed. They also want to put rubber balloons and tyres in the water so that anyone drowning can clutch on to them and save themselves. The proposal has been discussed with port authorities, who themselves had a meeting on it. If things work according to plans, the first set of nets will be put up within the first two months next year.
“Most drownings are due to suicide or youngsters taking a plunge without knowing swimming or negligence by revellers during Holi. Deaths during idol immersions are now rare. We have been advising people to be careful while entering the waters,” said an officer from Kolkata River traffic police.
In the first phase, the police have decided to put up fences at nine ghats, the preparatory work for which has begun. “We have requested the port authorities to help out. We are making a provision for funds. Experts will examine the matter, identify the locations, and submit a list of structures to be built around the ghats to prevent drownings. The project will be carried out in coordination with other agencies concerned,” a senior Lalbazar officer told TOI.
Kolkata Police has also begun procuring underwater cameras and drones to search for missing persons in the Hooghly. They have also directed divers and river traffic cops to be on stand-by and to keep all equipment ready for any sudden emergency. Following an inspection on Thursday, cops had called for tenders to build a platform-cum-shelter for life-saving equipment at Gwalior Ghat. The tender also asked vendors to supply the life-saving equipment.
We also published the following articles recently
Woman drowns self in water tank
A 25-year-old married woman allegedly committed suicide by drowning herself in a water tank built in her own field in Nachana, Jaisalmer. The woman’s family members filed a dowry harassment case against her in-laws. The police registered a case of dowry death against her sister-in-law and mother-in-law based on the complaint filed by the deceased’s brother. After a postmortem conducted by the medical board, the body was handed over to the family members.
A 25-year-old married woman allegedly committed suicide by drowning herself in a water tank built in her own field in Nachana, Jaisalmer. The woman’s family members filed a dowry harassment case against her in-laws. The police registered a case of dowry death against her sister-in-law and mother-in-law based on the complaint filed by the deceased’s brother. After a postmortem conducted by the medical board, the body was handed over to the family members.
Rlys to reduce Kasara ghat gradient for new tracks
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw plans to reduce the steep gradient in the Kasara ghat section between Igatpuri and Kasara using technology while laying new tracks. Currently, trains require double engines to navigate the gradient, leading to long halting times. The gradient of 1:37 affects power consumption. The railway aims to lower the gradient to 1:60 or more for easier train movement. The final location survey is considering options like laying tracks around the ghat or building tunnels. This will save travel time for about 150 trains daily.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw plans to reduce the steep gradient in the Kasara ghat section between Igatpuri and Kasara using technology while laying new tracks. Currently, trains require double engines to navigate the gradient, leading to long halting times. The gradient of 1:37 affects power consumption. The railway aims to lower the gradient to 1:60 or more for easier train movement. The final location survey is considering options like laying tracks around the ghat or building tunnels. This will save travel time for about 150 trains daily.