List out the steps taken by India to strengthen its coastal security after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Also, examine the weak links in the system. (200 words)
Refer – Hindustan Times
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
Steps taken
1. Tagging fishing boats
2. Infusing training and equipment into India’s coast guard
3. Setting up an extensive network of radars, cameras and other sensors along the coast.
· Further steps includes, establishment of mechanisms for inter-agency coordination.
· Increased regulation of activities in the maritime zones.
· Integration of the fishing and coastal communities.
· Capacity augmentation of maritime security agencies for surveillance and patrol of the nation’s maritime zones.
· Enhanced technical surveillance of coastal and offshore areas.
· Besides, State-wise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coordination among various agencies on coastal security issues have been formulated.
· Coastal Security Exercises are being conducted regularly by Indian Navy and Coast Guard to assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms and to address gaps.
Weak links
· Co-ordination – There continues to be far too many government agencies involved in coastal and maritime security. Coordination still remains a huge challenge.
· Role of States – The response of state governments has been varied.
· For example, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been exemplary; other states treat the matter lightly.
· Infrastructure – Many of these coastal stations are unmanned or poorly maintained.
· The coast guard still has less than half the aircraft it needs.
· Tracking beacons – The requirement that only vessels over 20mtrs long need to fix tracking beacons resulted in many no. of vessels being outside the security net.
Road to future
· Terrorist techniques do not remain static. The trick is to be a step ahead of them.
India must look to new technologies like data analytics and networked drones to prevent the attacks of the future.
Tapasvi 6 years
Kindly review
IAS Parliament 6 years
Shorten the introduction part. Try to add more points in the steps taken part. Keep writing.
