New Delhi: The government is taking steps to ensure the nation's coastal security and is helping coastal states by improving their monitoring infrastructure, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Replying to a supplementary question, the minister stated that the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 was a lesson for the country to remain alert to face any such situation.
"The government is fully committed to coastal security," he said.
The government cooperates with coastal states and builds new radar stations for monitoring and also conducts joint patrols with the Coast Guard.
It also runs 820 community engagement programs and incident management is done through digital mapping.
It has also set up the Rashtriya Coastal Police Academy (RCPA) to train state maritime police personnel.
The government has also provided more than 200 vessels of 5 to 12 tons capacity.
"204 coastal police stations have been set up on 11,000 kilometers of coastline and more than 800 vehicles have been provided," he said.
The government through a technological network is trying to fill the gaps in coastal security.
In addition, the government is also strengthening the coast guard.
BJP's Ashokrao Shankarrao asked about the status of a proposal by Maharashtra for 14 more ships for coastal surveillance under the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS).
Responding, Rai said the government had earlier provided boats to state governments, however, after a review it was found that they were not being properly maintained due to technical issues.
"It was decided that there was no need to purchase the proposed 14 ships for Maharashtra and 225 for other states," he said.
However, he added, an inter-ministerial group has been formed for integrated coastal security and has held three meetings.
This committee is consulting with interested parties.
CPI's Sandosh Kumar P demanded that Kozhipannai area of Kerala be made one of the Coast Guard regions.
Replying to a supplementary question, the minister stated that the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 was a lesson for the country to remain alert to face any such situation.
"The government is fully committed to coastal security," he said.
The government cooperates with coastal states and builds new radar stations for monitoring and also conducts joint patrols with the Coast Guard.
It also runs 820 community engagement programs and incident management is done through digital mapping.
It has also set up the Rashtriya Coastal Police Academy (RCPA) to train state maritime police personnel.
The government has also provided more than 200 vessels of 5 to 12 tons capacity.
"204 coastal police stations have been set up on 11,000 kilometers of coastline and more than 800 vehicles have been provided," he said.
The government through a technological network is trying to fill the gaps in coastal security.
In addition, the government is also strengthening the coast guard.
BJP's Ashokrao Shankarrao asked about the status of a proposal by Maharashtra for 14 more ships for coastal surveillance under the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS).
Responding, Rai said the government had earlier provided boats to state governments, however, after a review it was found that they were not being properly maintained due to technical issues.
"It was decided that there was no need to purchase the proposed 14 ships for Maharashtra and 225 for other states," he said.
However, he added, an inter-ministerial group has been formed for integrated coastal security and has held three meetings.
This committee is consulting with interested parties.
CPI's Sandosh Kumar P demanded that Kozhipannai area of Kerala be made one of the Coast Guard regions.
