To draw up plans for a comprehensive system that will lead to effective monitoring of vessels entering and exiting landing points in Mumbai and across the state,a senior Maharashtra Police officer has now been sent to Gujarat to study the coastal security arrangements there before a decision can be taken on replicating the measures. Inspector General of Police (Coastal Security) S Pandey is now on a study tour along Gujarats 1600-km coastline after a similar trip to Tamil Nadu last month. The IG Coastal Security is in Gujarat to study the systems that are being used there for coastal surveillance. Once he is back,he will submit a report on the feasibility of implementing these systems in Maharashtra. After careful consideration of whether such monitoring systems will prove effective here as well,a decision will be taken soon on what measures should be taken in Maharashtra for keeping a track of the numerous vessels that land along the coastline, said a senior Home Department official,who did not wish to be named. According to sources,the main purpose of the IGs visit to Gujarat is to examine experiments under way in the state for a gate entry system to track the time of a vessels entry. The report will also include his observations on the coastal policing measures in Tamil Nadu, added the official. In Tamil Nadu,every vessel is given a token number indicating nautical distance and destination and estimated time of return. To secure its 1,076-km coastline,Tamil Nadu has raised a Coastal Security Group (CSG) headed by an Additional Director General of Police-rank officer. The group is tasked with preventing smuggling of essential items by sea route to Sri Lanka and infiltration of militants into the state. The CSG personnel coordinate with 441 village vigilance committees in the coastal villages,Navy,Coast Guard,local police,Fisheries Department,Customs and Revenue authorities to gather intelligence on coastal security. According to Home Department officials,similar to police patils and gram raksha dals,a plan to have at least two special police officers from coastal villages for surveillance of each of the 184 jetties and landing points along the 720-km state coastline may be implemented soon.
