The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has chosen to replace stolen copper wires with aluminium in response to an increase in cable theft incidences along the Mumbai Coastal Road. Aluminium is a less expensive option than copper, which is extremely valuable and often sought by thieves.
The contractor has already begun replacing cables at high-risk locations. However, civic officials will closely monitor the performance of aluminium cables, as they are less durable than copper.
Important sites including Love Grove Bridge, Haji Ali Junction, and the main coastline road have recently seen thefts. To obtain copper wires, which sell for between Rs 700 and Rs 865 a kilogramme in the scrap market, thieves frequently break cement foundations beneath poles at midnight. In contrast, aluminium scrap is worth between Rs 120 and Rs 250 per kilogramme, which makes it a less desirable target.
Thefts continue despite frequent patrols by civic personnel and the Mumbai Traffic Police. Quick getaways are made possible by these highways’ ease of access; six complaints have already been made against unidentified people.
A BMC official stated, “We have instructed the contractor to install aluminium cables wherever copper has been stolen. The same company constructing the coastal road is carrying out the replacements, with reimbursement planned for the expenses.”
Furthermore, BMC has set aside Rs 8 crores to deploy cutting-edge cameras to keep an eye on fast cars. In order to improve security, the civic organisation has also designated three crucial areas for police and traffic chowkies: the Worli parking lot, Love Grove Flyover and the region close to Tata Garden.
The 10.58 km Mumbai Coastal Road, running from Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, has significantly eased commuting. Travellers can now reach Worli from South Mumbai in just eight minutes, improving connectivity and reducing congestion.
Source: The Fress Press Journal
