By IANS,
New Delhi : Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday reviewed the delivery of interceptor boats here as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen coastal security in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist strikes.
The delivery of a total of 204 interceptor boats from the US and other countries began in April and already 13 such boats have been dispatched to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
The 10 Pakistani terrorists who attacked Mumbai on the night of Nov 26, 2008 killing more than 170 people, had arrived in the city using the sea route.
Soon after the attacks, the home ministry reviewed the country’s coastal security and asked state governments to operationalise all coastal police stations and check-posts.
According to home ministry officials, it had also asked states and union territories to be ready with adequate and trained manpower so that they can be fully and optimally utilised once the delivery of interceptor boats commenced.
Chidambaram directed that six boats, which are also ready, be dispatched without delay and underlined the need to ensure that there are no slippages in time-lines.
The defence ministry too has taken several steps to strengthen maritime security by increasing their assets like ships, boats, helicopters, aircraft as well as manpower.