Man jumps to death from Mumbai’s Atal Setu, second incident in three days

Multiple suicides on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link raise safety concerns, prompting discussions on installing safety measures by authorities.

Amid increasing incidents of alleged suicides on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, another incident came to light, in which a 52-year-old businessman ended his life after jumping from the bridge, Nhava Sheva police said on Thursday (October 3, 2024).

A case of accidental death has been registered at the Nhava Sheva police station in Navi Mumbai. “We have recorded the preliminary statement of his wife, prima facia it is the case of self-harm due to depression. However, the reason behind the depression is not yet clear,“ Anjum Bagwan, a senior police inspector investigating the case, told The Hindu.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday (October 2, 2024). The authorities removed the body and sent it to the hospital, where he was declared dead. The deceased has been identified as Philip Hitesh Shah, a resident of Matunga in Western Suburb. According to his family, Shah left home at 8 a.m.. to attend a function, but instead went to Atu setu and ended his life.  

Mr. Bagwan stated that police were informed after the parked car was spotted on the bridge in CCTV footage. His Aadhaar card helped to determine his identification and address.

Safety concerns

This is the second death in three days. On 30 September, a deputy bank manager took his own life by leaping from the bridge around 10 am. In the past nine months, since the inauguration of Atal Setu, atleast six people attempted to take their own lives from the bridge. One person was prevented from attempting self-harm, when a cab-driver alerted authorities.

This has raised safety concerns on MTHL. Mr. Bagwan pointed out that these incidents occur in a non-barricaded part of the Atal Setu, which is atleast 4 to 5km of stretch. “Police are discussing with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to put the view-cut barricades in this part and exploring the option of installing safety nets,” he added.