India's ambitious project to install coastal surveillance network with a chain of static radar and electro-optic sensors at 84 places along the 7,500-km coastline is slated for completion by the middle of 2013, parliament was informed Wednesday.
"The network is envisaged to be fully functional by middle of next year," Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Rajya Sabha in written replies to questions.
He also noted that in the first phase of the project, 46 sites along the coast will have the radars operationalised in clusters.
"A coastal surveillance network consisting of a chain of static radar and electro-optic sensors at 84 remote sites is envisaged all along the coast line, including the island territories to detect movement of suspicious vessels.
"In the first phase, 46 radars (36 on main land and 10 in island territories) are being operationalised in clusters," he said.
Antony also pointed out that concerned coastal states are cooperating and providing full assistance for executing the project in time.