M A I N   N E W S

Coastal security plan in place; phase II okayed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 24
The Union Government today approved the second phase of the coastal security scheme that will be implemented from April 1 next year.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, cleared the Home Ministry’s proposal for implementing the Rs 1,100 -crore phase of the coastal security scheme.

This is aimed at acquiring more fast-moving sea vehicles and building additional marine police stations and jetties that will house the boats and help in training of police personnel.

Under the first phase, the Centre has already set up 73 coastal police stations, 97 checkposts, 58 outposts and 30 operational barracks, equipped with 204 vessels in nine states and four Union Territories.

After the 26/11 attack, in which Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists had taken the sea route to reach Mumbai, the government has been greatly emphasising on securing the country’s 7,517-km coastline.

The Supreme Court order to postpone the pronouncement of the Ayodhya title suit verdict is also understood to have figured at the CCS meeting. The CCS is also believed to have discussed the situation in Kashmir.