They had walked a kilometre before they were stopped, long enough for Singh to highlight the lack of security.

“When I entered the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL), no security personnel stopped me or my supporters,” said Singh, after being arrested by the Worli police.

Security on the sea link has always been a contentious issue with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) maintaining that is beyond its purview. “We are a road building corporation and security is to be looked after by the police. There are cops at the entrance and marshals at other spots,” said Satish Gavai, managing director and vice-chairman of the MSRDC.

The local police and the traffic police tried to hedge the issue. Suhas Warke, DCP (Zone 3), denied having any knowledge of the march. “I do not know whether he was prevented from entering at Worli. I can only confirm that Singh was apprehended by the Worli police.” And Shahaji Solunkhe, DCP (Traffic), said, “The traffic constables posted there have the responsibility of managing traffic and related problems. I have to talk to my officers and verify how Singh entered the sea link and walked on it.”

Singh persisted with his demand that the sea link be opened to pedestrians. “The BWSL is an engineering marvel and has been built using the common man’s money and they should be allowed to walk on it,” Singh said. “If not the entire sea link, at least half a kilometre on both sides should be made available for pedestrians.”

Singh is a vocal protester, having earlier raised the electricity crisis in his constituency. Gavai dismissed the demand. “The BWSL has not been designed for pedestrians. Allowing them on the sea link would mean risking lives,” he said.