Robotic lifebuoys coming to Mumbai beaches? Not so soon, BMC scraps plan amid fallout with Turkey
This decision comes in the wake of backlash over Turkey's role in supporting Pakistan and India-Turkey fallout post Operation Sindoor. Boycott Turkey goods calls were raised and trade relations strained between the two countries after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government criticised India's terror clampdown and strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, these bots were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches. However, a change in plan was made after Turkey openly condemned India's action in response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Affirming the development related to procurement of robotic lifebuoys, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that the civic body has scrapped the plan to procure robotic lifebuoys manufactured in Turkey.
Designed to assist lifeguards, the robotic lifebuoys would have been a part of search and rescue operation to save people from drowning.
Equipped with dual water jets, each unit of robotic lifebuoys possess a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery. With a carriage capacity of 200 kg, these remotely-operated rescue machines can cover a distance of 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h. BMC officials further informed PTI that the bot can operate for about an hour after one charge.
Following the deal with the Eurasian country, the BMC faced strong criticism from political parties. BJP and Shiv Sena leaders had questioned and condemned the procurement of the machine from foreign supplier and had insisted on promoting indigenous production.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Grant martyr status to Pahalgam attack victims'
Kanpur: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday visited the family of Pahalgam terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi in Kanpur on Sunday and supported the collective appeal for martyr status to all 26 victims. Singh offered condolence to the family and shared comprehensive details about the parliamentary discussions on 'Operation Sindoor'. "The families of all 26 victims, including Shubham's relatives, are united in their request for martyr status recognition. We appeal to the Prime Minister to acknowledge their sentiments. Such recognition would demonstrate solidarity between the govt and citizens against terrorism, whilst honouring the deceased," said Singh, adding that the appeal had garnered widespread support. He said that the matter was extensively deliberated in Parliament, with commitments for continued discussions. "The families also seek govt employment opportunities and compensation for their loss," Singh added. Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh also led a march with the students of primary school of Laxmanpur village, which was merged with other schools. "Their school was moved 2 kilometres away. According to the new decision, the school distance should not be more than 1 kilometre. Will the school open on Monday? If not, there will be a protest," Singh said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India Today
36 minutes ago
- India Today
Not acceptable: Top Trump aide accuses India of financing Russia's war in Ukraine
A top aide to US President Donald Trump criticised India for buying Russian oil, accusing the country of indirectly funding Russia's war in Ukraine. This comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on nations that continue purchasing oil from Miller, one of Trump's most influential advisors, said that Trump clearly believes India should stop buying Russian oil. "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia," Miller said on Sunday Morning seemed surprised at the scale of India's oil trade with Russia. On Fox News, he said, "People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact." Despite the US pressure, India has shown no sign of stopping its purchases. According to the news agency Reuters, Indian government sources said they will continue to import oil from Miller tempered his criticism by noting Trump's relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as "tremendous."TRUMP SLAPS TARIFFS ON INDIAOn July 30, Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and warned of potential penalties over India's purchase of Russian arms and oil. Immediately after the tariff announcement, Trump launched a blistering attack on New Delhi's ties with Moscow, dismissing both countries as "dead economies" and bluntly stating that he "does not care" what India does with has said he would consider imposing steep tariffs -- as high as 100% -- on imports from any country that continues to purchase oil from Russia unless Russia agrees to peace deal with TRADE WITH MOSCOW POINT OF IRRITATION: RUBIOWhile US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticised India's growing ties with Moscow. He called India a "strategic partner" but said its ongoing oil trade with Russia is a "point of irritation" in US-India imports of Russian oil have grown rapidly over the past few years. According to Reuters, before the Ukraine war in 2021, only 3% of India's oil came from Russia. That number has now jumped to between 35% and 40% of its total oil imports.- EndsWith inputs from Agencies Must Watch
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shiv Sena (UBT) & MNS tieup likely for Mumbai only & not for other civic bodies in Maharashtra, predicts Bhujbal
Nashik: Senior NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal has said there is a "distinct possibility" that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will join hands to contest the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls only. "My assessment, based on the feedback that I have been receiving, is that the pre-poll understanding between the two Thackeray cousins will be only for the civic polls in Mumbai. It is unlikely that they will have a tie up for the civic polls in other cities like Pune, Nashik etc," Bhujbal told TOI. "At this juncture it is too early to predict whether the coming together of the Thackeray cousins would adversely impact the Mahayuti in the BMC polls. The top brass of the three ruling alliance partners in the state are aware of the developments. They need to quickly firm up their strategy to win the civic polls in the state as was the case during the last assembly polls," stressed Bhujbal, who had been the mayor of Mumbai twice in the past. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The senior NCP leader said CM Devendra Fadnavis and his teo deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde would take the final call on whether to have a pre-poll pact for the civic polls, including BMC. The proximity between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been growing of late. Both had addressed a public rally in July and Raj recently visited Matoshree to greet Uddhav on the latter's birthday. A section of the Mahayuti politicians are apprehensive that the pre-poll understanding between Sena (UBT) and MNS could have an impact on the ruling alliance's prospects in the forthcoming civic polls, including BMC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo These politicians are of the view that the two Thackeray cousins could consolidate the Marathi speaking voters that spell trouble for the ruling alliance in the local body polls. Bhujbal said, "In Nashik, the NCP would like to have an understanding with BJP and Shiv Sena both for Nashik Municipal Corporation and Nashik ZP polls. But if that is not possible then NCP would contest independently. Nashik NCP unit's initial preparations for the polls have started." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
