Govt to set up chain of radar sensors along coastlines

The government has launched a project to set up radar sensors along the country's coastlines for surveillance in order to avoid a Mumbai-like terror attack during which Pakistani terrorists took the sea route to enter the city.

The government has launched a project to set up radar sensors along the country's coastlines for surveillance in order to avoid a Mumbai-like terror attack during which Pakistani terrorists took the sea route to enter the city.

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The Rs 350-crore project to set up the chain of radar sensors along the entire 7,517-km coastline, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep is implemented by the Coast Guard.

The radar sensors will be fitted on light houses at 46 locations, out of which 36 are in mainland, six in Lakshadweep Islands and four in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Radar sensors use Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) to reliably detect moving or stationary objects even in extreme weather conditions.

"The government has been on continuing basis reviewing the security arrangements of our coastline in the light of emerging challenges, including from terrorists. The decision to set up a chain of radar sensors has been taken to strengthen the coastal security," an official said.

As part of the overall coastal security, the Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for overall maritime security which includes coastal security and offshore security.

The Indian Coast Guard is additionally designated as the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters, including areas patrolled by State Coastal Police.

The existing Coastal Security Scheme provides for setting up of 73 coastal police stations, 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 operational barracks, equipped with 204 vessels and vehicles in the nine coastal states, four coastal Union Territories.

So far, 66 coastal police stations have been operationalised. Supply of interceptor boats to the states and union territories has also started and 109 boats have been supplied till last month.

Besides, the Ministry of Shipping has been mandated to streamline the process of registration of all types of vessels -- fishing as well as non-fishing -- and also to ensure fitting of navigational and communication equipments on these boats.

Of India's total coastline, 5423 km is along the mainland and 2094 km in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.