Govt to review security at nuclear and power installations

The government has decided to do a review of the security set up at the nuclear and power installations across the country, besides other vital buildings in view of intelligence inputs indicating terror threats.

Home ministry sources said a security audit of all nuclear installations and power plants, especially those along the Western and Eastern Coast of the country is being carried out jointly by the Intelligence Bureau and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

As per inputs, power projects especially those in the insurgency-hit Northeast and militancy-affected Jammu and Kashmir face constant terror threats.

The security checks are being done to ascertain both internal and external threat perception and risk analysis of vital installations.

Power secretary HS Brahma today said in the next three to five years, all power projects will have CISF cover.

Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Limited in Maharashtra was the latest to get Central security.

Brahma said out of the 300 power plants in the country, 90 are still to get CISF cover.

Union home secretary GK Pillai had earlier in the day said India's western coastline hosting several petroleum and nuclear installations are vulnerable to terror strikes from the sea route.

Sources said security audit being done after two years as per laid down procedures will also ascertain the necessary changes in deployment strength of security personnel and requirement of additional security gadgets.