New Delhi, March 31
The Indian Navy has pressed in its ships and reconnaissance aircraft to scan the sea off the western coast to keep an eye on possible infiltrators who may foment trouble ahead of the final of the World Cup scheduled for Saturday at Mumbai.

Apart from this, the National security Guard (NSG), that draws a large number of Indian Army personnel, too will be stationed in Mumbai. Quick reaction teams of the CRPF will be assisted by the Rapid Action Force (RAF), besides a ring of security personnel of the Mumbai police aided by teams of central security and intelligence personnel. Coastal security is vital for the match as the Wankhede stadium is located along the Marine drive in South Mumbai and is less than 100 metres away from the coast.

Sources said the Dornier aircraft of the Navy has the capacity to pick out electronic communication between two stations besides take images in low light and are fitted with infra-red sensors. Modern technology provides a very clear resolution of the scanned area. Navy officials said coastal security along the West coast has been stepped up since early March in the run up to the World Cup. The Indian Navy, in conjunction with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and other players of the Coastal Security Network has accordingly heightened its state of alert and its ships and aircraft are on continuous patrol off the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Navy has sent out Fast-Attack Craft (FAC), patrol vessels and Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) have been deployed in layered defence to intercept terrorists attempting to land on Indian shores. Security has also been strenghtened ed up ashore with additional checkpoints and manning of boat-landing areas. Coastal villages have been sensitised to report any untoward incident. Fishermen are actively contributing to the security setup by acting as the ‘eyes-and-ears’ of security agencies. Further, a sufficient number of elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS), adequately supported by helicopters, are standing-by to attend to any eventuality.

Just like the security plan from the India-Pakistan semifinal at Mohali, anti-aircraft guns will be strategically placed. Though there is no specific threat to the much-awaited game where India will clash with Sri Lanka, the Centre is not taking any chances as President Pratibha Patil and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa are set to watch the encounter, sources said.

All air bases near Mumbai, Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been put on high alert to ensure security in the air and sea during the Saturday's match.