The state government has chalked out a Rs400-crore plan to police the 40-km-long coastal stretch of Mumbai.
The development comes after the government mulled over the idea of decentralising tourist activities at the Gateway of India by moving the entry points to various wharfs in the city. In order to make things happen, the Centre has been approached with the proposal to form a dedicated force of 1,500-strong marine police.
The state home department is said to have spent sleepless nights pondering over the security aspects at the Gateway of India, what with all the passenger boats and private yachts plying from there.
With the thrust on using other entry points and jetties in the city and suburbs, the department intends to shift the passenger activities to Ferry Wharf and other jetties.
“The reluctance among the boat owners to shift business from the Gateway is due to the poor infrastructure at other jetties. Our plan is to improve on them and spread out the concentration to those points. This will ease out the stress on the security agencies at the Gateway,” said Chandra Iyengar, additional chief secretary (Home).
The improvement on the infrastructure at the jetties will include better roads, connected buses and additional security. Moreover, patrolling in the sea will be an important part, for which more than 40 boats will be acquired.
The committee appointed to suggest ways to ease out the movement at the Gateway is also studying the possibility of using the jetties in the suburbs. Theyinclude the jetties at Gorai, Versova and Vasai. “If these jetties are convenient to passengers, the option will be taken up,” said Iyengar.
According to a home department official, chief minister Ashok Chavan in his recent meeting with Union home minister P Chidambaram has put up the proposal for the marine police. “The Konkan range police have already started to coordinate with the fisher folks for their help. They are getting a good response. But the dedicated force is the need of the hour,” said the official.
Comments