Significant progress made for coastal security of the country since 26/11: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the steps undertaken to strengthen the coastal security of the country since the Mumbai terror attacks.

“The identified gaps which remain to be filled up will be addressed through Phase-II of the Coastal Security Scheme which is to be launched next year,” said the Home Minister while addressing the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs here today.

The subject of the meeting was ‘Coastal Security’.

During the meet, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Coastal police stations and boats are well-equipped and around 2000 police personnel have been imparted specialized training so far.”

Saying that in order to ensure better coordination among different agencies, Coastal Command and Joint Operation Centres have been set up, Mr. Chidambaram said: ” Phase-I of the Coastal Security Scheme which has been in operation since 2005-06 will come to an end in March next year. Phase-II which will be launched thereafter will considerably strengthen infrastructure in terms of boats, police stations, jetties, vehicles, equipment, trained personnel, etc.”

In response to query put across by members, the Home Minster said, “Kalpakkam and other key installations on the country’s coast are well-protected and there need not be any apprehension in this regard.”

Responding to another query, Mr. Chidambaram said that there was no proposal to entrust coastal security to the Border Security Force or raise another Central force for the purpose.

Members, while participating in the deliberations, appreciated the steps taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs towards strengthening the coastal security of the country.

During the meet, some of the participating members, also stressed the need to augment availability of funds for coastal security whereas some of the members pointed out the need of not transferring police personnel specially trained in coastal security to other areas of policing.

Members also stressed the importance of enlisting cooperation of fishermen and other local groups to ensure coastal security.

The Coastal Security Scheme aims at providing assistance to nine coastal States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and four coastal Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to strengthen their infrastructure for marine policing.

The Scheme provides for setting up 73 coastal police stations, 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 operational barracks. So far, 71 coastal police stations have been operationlised and construction of 75 check posts, 54 outposts and 22 barracks completed. 158 boats were delivered to coastal States/UTs up to the end of last month.

Participants in today’s meet included Dr. K. Keshava Rao, Rishang Keishing, H.K. Dua, Mohd. Ali Khan, Vinay Katiyar and Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav from the Rajya Sabha and Dr. Ratan Singh Ajnala, Dr. Thokchom Meinya, Kalyan Banerjee, Khagen Das and Ismail Hussain from the Lok Sabha.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken was also present at the meeting. (ANI)