To upgrade the security at vital installations and dumping grounds, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will set up 21 watch towers by the year-end. The watch towers will be manned by armed guard along with the regular security personnel.

The security department has proposed watch towers: five at Bhandup Complex and Mulund and Deonar dumping grounds, four each at Modak Sagar and Tansa lake, Pise and Panjrapur pumping stations. The estimated cost of setting the watch towers will be Rs 1.55 crore and the provision for the same will be made in the 2009-10 budget.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Mahadeo Sangle said that water supply projects on the premises of dumping grounds and vital installations were huge and needed constant monitoring. “It is difficult to look after the entire dumping grounds, lakes and water complexes on ground. With the watch towers in place, the security guards can have an aerial view of activities and can keep a vigil on the whole area,” he said. The security guards will also be given search lights.