Maharashtra, Gujarat coastline secured ahead of World Cup final

The country’s west coast has been heavily secured in the run-up to the cricket World Cup final to be played on April 2 in Mumbai.

The navy, coast guard and marine police have strengthened their presence along the coast in view of the threat perception to the mega sporting event. Their vessels are patrolling the Maharashtra and Gujarat coastlines continuously to keep a thorough check on every passing vessel.

Fast Attack Crafts (FAC) and Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC) have also been deployed to prevent terrorists from landing on Indian shores. Elite Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) has been kept on standby with helicopter support.

Security at unmanned landing points, boat landing areas, and fishing jetties has been beefed up. Surveillance has also been intensified in offshore development areas like Bombay High. Officials are also staying in constant touch with locals so that they can inform the security agencies if unknown foreign vessels or boats are spotted.

Chief public relations officer, defence, Captain Manohar Nambiar, said: “The sanitisation of coastal areas had been started earlier this month. Following that, patrolling and surveillance using ships, aircraft and helicopters have been intensified.”