Maha failed to provide coastal security details even after 26/11

Despite the 26/11 terror attacks, which exposed the city’s vulnerable coastline, the state government in the last two years has not responded to requests for information from a parliamentary standing committee on home affairs. The committee put together a report on India’s ‘coastal security scheme’ which was submitted to the Parliament last Wednesday.

Despite the 26/11 terror attacks, which exposed the city’s vulnerable coastline, the state government in the last two years has not responded to requests for information from a parliamentary standing committee on home affairs. The committee put together a report on India’s ‘coastal security scheme’ which was submitted to the Parliament last Wednesday.

“All the coastal states/UTs except the state of Maharashtra have sent their comments. The comments from the state government of Maharashtra were not received in spite of the request made by the committee and reminders sent in this regard,” stated the report.

Chaired by BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu, the committee dealt with the subject in detail, assessed the present situation for the states, pointed out lacunae, and put forth several concerns and problems of states to the Union home ministry.

The committee had asked all coastal states and union territories to send information on the implementation of the coastal security scheme and roadblocks.

“Given the background of the 26/11 attacks, we were expecting the Maharashtra government to be most concerned about coastal security. But we were disappointed,” said Naidu.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s 652-km long coastline continues to be porous. Maharashtra has and apart from the 26/11 attacks, the sea route was also used to bring in the RDX used in the 1993 serial bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai.