CHENNAI: The number of medically terminated pregnancies (MTP) in the city has increased from 10,293 in 2011 to 13,374 in 2015, revealed an RTI filed by OnlineRTI.com. As many as 59,991 pregnancies were legally terminated in the city since 2011.The RTI reply said most abortions were to protect the physical or mental health of the women. Failure of contraceptives, forced pregnancies through rape and unplanned pregnancies are the other reasons. These figures do not include women who go to unregistered centres or those who opt for abortion pills. Experts are worried by the rise in number of abortions since the child sex ratio in Chennai has declined from 972 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001 to 950 in 2011. “The ideal sex ratio is 980:1,000. There is a decline in the number of girls because of illegal abortion,“said M Jeeva, state coordinator of Campaign Against Sex Selective Abortion.“The rise in abortions could be because medical termination is now more accessible. Cases could range from danger to the woman's health or when couples suffer contraceptive failure. Many unmarried couples also approach us,“ said gynaecologist Dr Radha Bai Prabhu.Many experts feel that the number of abortions have been on the rise after emergency contraception pills were taken off pharmacy shelves by the government 10 years ago. This trend yet again raises the necessity for access to safe contraceptive options for couples, they said. Corporation officials, on the other hand, say a rise in population and a better reporting system could be the reasons behind the high numbers. “The rise in abortions has nothing to do with sex-determination,“ a corporation official said.A J Hariharan, founder of NGO Indian Community Welfare Organisation, said sex education is a must for teenagers and adults. “Many are unaware about the legal aspects and approach local clinics to terminate pregnancy,“ he said. Indian Medical Associa tion state president Dr S Damodaran said unmarried pregnant women, who wish to undergo abortion, should be careful. “It's risky to go to illegal clinics. The proposed Clinical Establishment (Regularisation and Registration) Act 2010, will help shut such illegal units.“According to Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP), 1971, abortions are allowed only up to 20 weeks after conception. “One should terminate a pregnancy under proper medical supervision,“ a doctor said.