NEW DELHI: As many as 176 coastal police stations are operational in different parts of the country and concrete measures are being taken to strengthen coastal security, which is a major challenge, the government said today.
Out of the 204 sanctioned coastal police stations in 13 states and union territories, 176 are operational, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha.
46 more such police stations are under construction, he said during Question Hour.
Noting that coastal security was a major challenge and the government definitely understands it, Rijiju said concrete measures are being put in place by the government to strengthen security on the coasts.
"Strengthening of coastal security is a continuous process," Rijiju said, adding the government reviews and monitors entire coastal security to ensure timely completion of the scheme in this regard.
The government is implementing the coastal security scheme in phases and assistance is given by the Centre to coastal states and union territories. If necessary, the government would extend the second phase of the scheme or come out with a new phase, the Minister said.
"All components of the coastal security scheme, including their cost have been finalised subsequent to vulnerability/gap analysis and in consultation with all the coastal states/UTs," Rijiju said.
To another query, the Minister said the government has decided to give smart cards to fishermen as well as register their names.