A disturbing incident unfolded on Monday morning in Mumbai, as a man reportedly jumped off the Atal Setu, the city’s newly inaugurated six-lane sea bridge. The incident, which occurred around 10 am, has prompted a frantic search and rescue operation by Mumbai Police.
According to reports, the man parked his SUV on the bridge before leaping into the sea. Passersby alerted the authorities, leading to the immediate mobilization of police and rescue teams from Sewri and coastal police.
CCTV footage revealed that the man arrived at the bridge in a car registered in the name of one Sushant Chakravarti. Police are now working to trace the individual and locate him in the water. Efforts are also underway to locate and contact his family members.
The Atal Setu, officially known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, is a significant infrastructure project that connects South Mumbai to the satellite city of Navi Mumbai. With its 21.8 km length, including a 16.5 km sea-link, it is India’s longest sea bridge and was inaugurated this past January.
Sadly, this incident is not the first attempt at suicide on the bridge. In August, a woman attempted to jump off the Atal Setu, but fortunately, a cab driver and police personnel intervened and successfully pulled her to safety. The dramatic rescue was captured on CCTV footage, highlighting the urgent need for mental health awareness and support systems.
As the search and rescue operation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health support and the need for robust safety measures on bridges and other public infrastructure.
