Special adviser likely for coast security

The Govt will over the next few days finalise marine security blueprint that will put in place a coastal command structure to enhance protection of the country’s coastline, report Aloke Tikku & Varghese K George.

The Government will over the next few days finalise marine security blueprint that will put in place a coastal command structure to enhance protection of the country’s 7,516 km-long coastline.

HT Image

The move is part of the overhaul of security apparatus in the aftermath of the November 26 terror strikes.

At the top of the command structure would be a National Maritime Security Adviser to draw up policies, coordinate and regulate activities of more than half-a-dozen agencies such as customs, shipping, state police, fisheries etc.

It will also put a formal seal of approval on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s decision to hold the Coast Guard as the single-point authority for coastal security.

“The ministries of home and defence were asked to fine-tune the blueprint by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at the last meeting… It should be cleared at the next meeting,” a senior minister told HT. He said state governments — responsible for policing sea up to three km from the coast — have been consulted.

Meanwhile, the defence ministry has asked the Coast Guard to hire shipping vessels rather than wait for the long-drawn process of acquisitions and boat-building, an official said. The home ministry has issued similar instructions to 13 coastal states and union territories.