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ShareMumbai: In a bid to beef up security along the 40-km-long city's vulnerable coastline, Mumbai police today acquired four amphibious boats equipped with advanced technology including Global Positioning System.
The 'Sealegs Amphibious Marine Crafts', which can accommodate four armed personnel, can operate on land and water.
The boats will be stationed at Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu and Versova beaches.
These amphibious vehicles, costing Rs 40 lakh, can travel at over 40 knots on water and over 10 kms per hour on land.
Such boats are already actively used in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Spain.
"Post-26/11 we conducted a study to figure out the loopholes in security system. We found that there is a need to have a number of speed boats to patrol the city's waterfront," said City police commissioner D Sivanandan, who inaugurated the boats at Girgaum Chowpatty in south Mumbai.
With the four new boats, Mumbai police now have 15 boats patrolling the coastline day and night, he said.
"We will soon procure 18 more boats," he said adding that we plan to take the number of boats upto 50.
On last November 26, ten Pakistani terrorists had entered the city through sea route and killed over 160 and injured more than 250 people after attacking hotels Taj Mahal, Trident and CST Railway Station.
After the attacks, police have embarked upon a number of measures to enhance security around the island waters.
"Now we are better prepared to tackle any eventuality," Sivanandan said adding that they would soon procure more equipment as the government has sanctioned additional Rs 90 crore funds.
The boats can also be used to undertake rescue operations in case of floods.
