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States » WestPosted at: Jun 3 2025 9:07PM


Maha: BMC cancels Turkish rescue boat tender amid geopolitical tensions

Mumbai, June 3 (UNI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled its tender to procure robotic water rescue boats from a Turkish firm, citing recent geopolitical tensions and national security concerns.
The decision comes after Turkey’s open support for Pakistan during the latest Indo-Pak conflict, which prompted widespread criticism and calls for a boycott of Turkish goods, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The tender, originally floated in September last year, aimed to acquire six remote-controlled rescue boats for the Mumbai Fire Brigade to deploy at popular city beaches including Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Gorai and Aksa.
Each boat, sourced from Turkey-based Maren Robotics, was worth Rs 9.62 lakh and featured advanced specifications such as dual water jets, a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, a 200 kg carrying capacity, and a top speed of 18 km/h145.
According to senior BMC officials, the shortlisting of bidders was completed between January and February, with an Indian supplier selected to source the boats from Turkey. However, no Letter of Approval (LoA) had been issued, giving the civic body the legal right to withdraw the tender at this stage.
The move follows criticism from political parties, including the BJP and Shiv Sena, who questioned the wisdom of engaging with a country perceived as hostile to India’s interests.
BMC officials have confirmed that a fresh tender will be issued, with a renewed focus on sourcing similar equipment from Indian manufacturers to promote the Make-in-India initiative and ensure cost-effectiveness.
The civic body’s decision aligns with a broader national sentiment, as several Indian institutions have recently suspended collaborations with Turkish entities over security concerns.
The BMC’s withdrawal of the Turkish contract also comes as Mumbai braces for the monsoon season, with the need for efficient water rescue operations remaining a priority. The civic body is now exploring domestic alternatives to enhance safety across the city’s beaches.
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