By IANS,
New Delhi: The government is doing all it can to safeguard India’s coasts and prevent another 26/11-style attack, parliament was told Tuesday.
“The Coastal Security Scheme Phase II is being implemented over a period of five years, starting from April 1, 2011, with a total financial outlay of Rs.1,579 crore,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs M. Ramachandran said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
He said that 131 coastal police stations, 60 jetties, 10 marine police operational centres equipped with 150 12-tonne boats, 10 large vessels, 20 19-metre boats, 10 five-tonne boats, 35 rigid inflatable boats, 131 four wheelers and 242 motorcycles have been approved under Phase II”.
Phase I (which was implemented up to March 31, 2011) of the scheme had an outlay of Rs.646 crore with Rs.495 crore for meeting non-recurring expenditure and Rs.151 crore for meeting recurring expenditure for six years.
The Coastal Security Scheme’s main objective is to strengthen the infrastructure of the marine police force for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow areas close to the coast.
The Indian coastline stretches about 5,700 km on the mainland (nine states and two union territories) and about 7,500 km along the two island groups (Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
India’s territorial waters extend to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
During the attacks of Nov 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists travelled by sea from Karachi to Mumbai to wreak mayhem in the city.