BMC Scraps Deal To Procure Turkey-Made Lifebuoys Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 11:15 IST

The BMC has cancelled its plan to procure Turkish-made robotic lifebuoys for Mumbai beaches due to Turkey's support for Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) building (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has scrapped its plan to procure Turkey-made robotic lifebuoys for deployment across half a dozen beaches, amid India’s strained ties with the country over its backing for Pakistan.

According to some civic officials, remotely-operated rescue machines, designed to assist lifeguards in saving people from drowning, were to be deployed at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa, and Gorai beaches.

Officials also said that each unit of the machine was equipped with dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, and had the capacity to carry up to 200 kg. It could travel 800 metres into the sea at speeds up to 18 km/h and operate for about an hour.

Last month, the BMC had come under fire for reportedly awarding a contract to a Turkish company to supply robotic life-saving equipment for deployment at Mumbai’s popular beaches.

In a letter to the Mumbai municipal commissioner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhalchandra Shirsat had demanded the immediate cancellation of the tender.

In his letter, Shirsat also questioned why Mumbai’s civic body would engage in business with a country that has openly supported Pakistan during times of conflict.

Turkey extended diplomatic and military support to Islamabad during last month’s military confrontation between India and Pakistan, thus triggering broader domestic calls for a boycott of goods made in the Eurasian country.

On June 2, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said he was looking to send its wide-body planes, whose heavy maintenance is being done by Turkish Technic, to other MRO entities, against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan.

Earlier, multiple universities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, suspended their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Inonu University in Turkey, citing national security considerations.

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Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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