The 13 major ports in the country are now planning to tighten their security systems, following reports that terrorists used the sea route via Gujarat to enter Mumbai for the recent terror attacks on the city.
Port administrations are planning to install IT gadgets like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in trucks, scanners and also use speedboats for patrolling. The boats alone are likely to cost around Rs 40-50 crore.
Union Minister of Shipping T R Baalu has also asked the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to undertake a special audit on security in all the major ports to ensure compliance with all security measures. According to shipping ministry sources, all the port chairpersons and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which looks after port security, have been asked to send their security requisitions immediately.
The minister also directed the DGS to request the Indian Space Research Organisation to expedite its project to design and devise a low-cost boat tracking system for fishing vessels. It was also pointed out at the meeting that there were multiple agencies for registering fishing vessels and, therefore, maritime states should be asked to ensure that due care was taken in this regard.
According to a port trust chairman, who was present in the meeting called on Monday by the shipping ministry to assess security in the ports, it was decided that all the major ports would take immediate steps to acquire at least two speedboats for patrolling the waterfront of their respective areas.
The CISF has also been requested to deploy Marine Commando Units and raise bomb disposal squads for each port. Baalu also gave directions to buy new CCTVs, which would cost another Rs 1 crore for each port.
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It was also decided that the Coast Guard would be authorised to rummage all the suspicious merchant vessels prior to their entry to a port. Similarly, Customs would also inspect the vessels at outer anchorage and within port limits.
Meanwhile, Tuticorin Port, which is located on the southern tip of the country, is planning to install RFID tags in all the trucks and lorries that enter the port. Speaking to Business Standard, Tuticorin Port Trust chairman G J Rao said that this would become mandatory over the next 12 months. While the trust would bear the equipment cost, truck owners would have to spend on the tags.
He added that the port trust was also planning to install mobile and fixed scanners at all the gates to scan the cargoes, vehicles and people entering and exiting the port.