SURAT - Despite the dangerous conditions and road closures due to the swollen Tapi River, locals have been spotted risking their lives for selfies on Surat's overflowing causeway. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) had previously closed the causeway to vehicular traffic due to a rise in water levels in recent days, but this has not deterred thrill-seekers.
In the absence of police intervention, the closed causeway has inadvertently become a hotspot for reckless individuals seeking social media content. Footage has surfaced showing locals capturing selfies on the central part of the overflowing causeway, raising serious concerns about public safety.
Rander police had pledged to increase patrolling following earlier incidents, but these promises appear to have fallen short, with individuals still frequenting the dangerous location.
The SMC implemented a full ban on vehicular traffic on the causeway due to the water level exceeding 6 meters, causing the road surface to close. Driving on the submerged causeway poses significant risks, a fact that appears to be largely ignored by the public.
In light of the increasing incidents, calls for the corporation to take a stricter stance on the matter have intensified. There are concerns that if the water level of the Tapi River suddenly increases further, those on the causeway could find themselves trapped or swept away.
Despite the imminent danger, some locals, including youth and even families with young children, have been spotted at the location. The repeated incidents have led to an outcry among urban residents, who demand that the administration takes a more proactive role in preventing people from accessing the closed causeway.
While Rander police vowed to patrol the area as long as the causeway remains closed, their lack of action has raised criticism. Critics argue that until serious measures are taken, thrill-seekers will continue to risk their lives on the flooded causeway in the pursuit of social media attention.
