Navy Chief admits 145;systemic failure146;

While exchange of information happens on a regular basis, Mehta underlined that information should be actionable. 8220;Whatever information has come our way, we have ensured that action is taken,8221; the Navy Chief said, adding that inputs like 8220;India is going to be attacked by terrorists8221; couldn8217;t be called actionable.

Mehta said both the Coast Guard and Navy had deployed a large number of ships off the Gujarat coast. 8220;But there is always a first time, and we need to be prepared for those times,8221; he said, referring to reports that the Coast Guard had intercepted the fishing vessel 8216;Kuber8217;, but let it pass after a check.

He said that while the existing system of the Navy in the outer layer, the Coast Guard 200 miles inwards, the Coastal Security and then the Port Security would be continued with, methods for 8220;better synergy8221; were being looked at.

Hinting at the enormity of the task at hand, Mehta pointed out that out of the 1.5 lakh trawlers registered in India, around 50,000 were in Gujarat and Maharashtra alone. Around 5,000 trawlers could be going in and out of Mumbai daily, he noted, which was a fairly large number.

He also underlined the importance of having transponders on the trawlers to help security forces track who has gone into the sea and who has come back.

The Navy Chief also lambasted the media for the live coverage of the commando operation in Mumbai, saying this had 8220;tactical implications8221;. 8220;All over the world, media is an enabling instrument. In India, it is a disabling instrument,8221; Mehta said.