Phase-II of Coastal Surveillance Network to be completed on time: Sitharaman

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the second phase of India's Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN), designed to strengthen security along the country's coastline and prevent a repeat of attacks such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, would be completed within a fixed timeframe.

The first phase of the surveillance network has already been completed and provides near real-time monitoring of sensitive areas along India's coastline.

Addressing the 37th Coast Guard Commanders' Conference in New Delhi, Sitharaman praised the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for strengthening coastal surveillance and plugging gaps through the first phase of the CSN.

She assured Coast Guard commanders that the Defence Ministry was firmly committed to completing the second phase of the project in a “time-bound manner”.

The minister also stressed the importance of involving India's fishing communities in coastal security. She called on senior Coast Guard officials to explore ways of encouraging fishermen to use technology-based systems that could improve both their safety and the authorities' ability to monitor activities at sea.

The coastal surveillance system is an important part of India's maritime security architecture. The need for stronger monitoring became particularly clear after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, in which the attackers used the sea route to reach the city. The incident exposed significant gaps in coastal surveillance and coordination among maritime security agencies.

Sitharaman said the Indian Coast Guard had consistently received recognition at international forums for its capabilities and its extensive surveillance of India's maritime zones. She described the force's capabilities as unmatched in the Indo-Pacific region.

The minister also highlighted the Coast Guard's humanitarian role during natural disasters. She praised its personnel for rescue and relief operations following Cyclone Ockhi and during the Kerala floods.

Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh said the force remained committed to protecting lives and property at sea, responding to emergencies, safeguarding the marine environment and protecting India's maritime security interests.

The expansion of the Coastal Surveillance Network is expected to strengthen coordination between surveillance systems and maritime agencies while providing authorities with faster information about suspicious vessels and activity along vulnerable stretches of India's coastline.