A 52-year-old businessman jumped to his death from the Atal Setu bridge in Mumbai early Wednesday, marking the second apparent suicide on the structure in two days, police reported.
Philip Hitesh Shah, a resident of Matunga in central Mumbai, drove his sedan onto the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), part of which is known as Atal Setu, parked it, and leaped into the sea below, according to a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.
“Shah had been depressed for the past few months, and the family suspects this led to his decision to end his life,” the official said.
The incident occurred just two days after a deputy manager of a nationalized bank jumped from the same bridge. His body was recovered from the Navi Mumbai seashore on Tuesday.
CCTV control room staff on the bridge alerted authorities after noticing Shah’s parked car. A rescue team was immediately dispatched to the location.
The Atal Setu, which opened to the public in January, is India’s longest sea bridge, connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. These incidents have raised concerns about safety measures on the newly inaugurated structure.
Local authorities are reviewing security protocols on the bridge in light of these events. Mental health experts emphasize the importance of increased awareness and support systems to prevent such tragedies.
hindustimes.com