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Surveillance measures
- Coast Guard to hire ships to meet shortage
- Cutting edge technology to be acquired
- Radar coverage for entire Indian coast
- Two interceptor boats at each port
- Additional ships in vulnerable areas
- Operating guidelines for agencies along the coast
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New Delhi, December 20
In a seemingly belated move, the ministry of defence and the ministry of home, in their own separate ways, today got down to do some real work to augment the security along the Indian coastline.
While defence minister A.K. Antony directed the Coast Guard to lease or hire ships from the global market in the quickest possible time to meet shortages and augment the coastal security. The ministry of home decided to prepare a detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the working of various agencies patrolling the waters. SOPs will apply to the police of these coastal states, the Coast Guard and customs authorities.
Antony also approved global acquisition of cutting-edge equipment and interceptor boats on a fast-track basis, defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said here this afternoon. It was decided to set up nine additional stations for the Coast Guard and a proposal for the same will be sent to the cabinet for its approval at the earliest.
On the other hand, the ministry of home has said a decision has been taken to provide two interceptor boats to every port in the country.
The defence minister held a meeting with senior officials on coastal security. Also the defence ministry has identified vulnerable areas in the context of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and it was decided to deploy additional ships and aircraft in these areas.
The Coast Guard will coordinate with state governments for having “electronic” identification of all vessels entering Indian waters. Crucially, the meeting also gave clearance for radar coverage of the entire coastline and a scheme for the same will soon be worked out in consultation with the ministry of shipping, officials said.
In the home ministry, home secretary Madhukar Gupta took a decision that detailed examination would be done of the irregular and unregulated movement of boats, including fishing boats, in Indian waters. The home ministry is also sorting out issues related to registration of boats, transponders, identity cards, etc.
The home ministry will also carry out a detailed security audit of one or two ports. Issues like access control, surveillance systems, I-cards for employees, etc., will taken care of. The ministry has asked for a security report of all minor ports.
