Govt has stepped up security at 12 major ports: Gadkari

India has stepped up security at all its 12 major ports, which includes installation of CCTVs besides supply of radiological detection systems (RDEs), Parliament was informed today.
"The government has taken significant steps to upgrade security at major ports by installation of vessel traffic management system (VTMS), issuance of biometric ID-cards to port functionaries, acquisition of speed boats and patrolling boats. The government has also deployed CISF at all the major ports," Road Transport Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari told the Lok Sabha in a statement.
Replying to a query on assessment of perceived security threat at ports, Gadkari said, RDEs have been supplied to all major ports, which envisages an assessment of threat by a recognised security organisation.

"All major ports have surveillance systems with a CCTV surveillance network... In the first phase, installation of seven container scanners at the ports of Mumbai, Chennai, Kandla and Tuticorin has been initiated," the statement said.
In the second phase, three X-ray based drive-through (road) container scanners are being installed at JNPT, Mundra and Cochin.
A proposal to put up two drive-through (rail) container scanners on a pilot basis at the gateway ports of JNPT and Mundra has also been approved, he said, adding that the Directorate General of Lighthouse and Lightships (DGLL) has set up a National Automatic Identification Network covering the entire country, including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.

Providing details of CCTVs at ports, he said Paradip Port is having high-end security surveillance system complete with 30 CCTV cameras while Visakhapatnam Port Trust has installed 30 CCTV cameras at strategic locations in the first phase.

At present, CCTV surveillance of the Chennai Port Trust comprises 30 analog cameras. While Kamarajar Port has installed CCTV cameras at seven places, the VO Chidambaranar Port Trust has set up 44 IP-based CCTV cameras.
The Cochin Port Trust has eight analog CCTV cameras, besides 33 cameras. While the New Mangalore Port Trust has 37 CCTV cameras, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) boasts of a high-end security surveillance complete with 22 CCTV cameras.

Mumbai Port Trust's CCTV surveillance system consists of 96 cameras of different ranges and types with intelligent software while the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust does its job with a high-end security surveillance.
Likewise, the Kandla Port has all necessary equipment for ISPS compliance, including CCTV surveillance network with 17 cameras. The Kolkata Port Trust maintains a VTMS system on Sagar Island integrated with the Automatic Identification System (AIS) through which identity of all vessels approaching the port can be ascertained.