New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday reviewed at a high-level meeting here the progress made in tightening the coastal security after the Mumbai terror attack last year.
The meeting was attended by the national security advisor, the cabinet secretary, the defence secretary, the navy chief, the shipping secretary, the border management secretary and the director general of the coast guard.

Establishment of a radar chain along India’s 7,515-km long coastline is under progress, the meeting was told.

“Setting up of radar chain is the top priority. About 46 radars are being installed all along the coast, including the island territories, in the first phase at the cost of about Rs.300 crore (Rs.3 billion). The radars will have sensors for detection of any vessel near the coast,” a defence spokesperson said.

Antony was informed at the meeting that one advanced offshore patrol vessel and two interceptor boats have been commissioned this year and six would be commissioned by March 2010.

“Five contracts for 74 surface vessels and four Dornier aircraft have been made. For navy, the procurement of 80 fast interceptor boats has been fast tracked,” the spokesperson added.

In the aftermath of the 26/11 attack, the Indian Navy was made the nodal agency for the coastal security and set up joint operation centres at Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Kochi, Port Blair under a naval commander-in-chief.

“The defence minister was apprised that intelligence gathering and sharing was integrated with the setting up of JOCs and MAC’s (multi-agency centres). Moreover, a toll-free number 1093 has been established in coastal states and union territories for coastal security,” said the spokesperson.