Cabinet nod for 300-strong team to man 91 spots along coastline

The cabinet has decided to create a force comprising 300 personnel to guard 91 sensitive spots along Maharashtra's coastline. The move aims at preventing terrorists launching a 26/11-type attack. The government has also decided to make registration of all fishing boats in the state mandatory.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and revenue minister Eknath Khadse informed mediapersons about the decision after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. For the time being, the CM said, the security personnel will be paid honorarium and the government will provide Rs5.36 crore a year to meet the expenses.

The state has a coastline stretching nearly 720 kms along the Arabian Sea.

Khadse said about 273 of these personnel will be manning the 91 spots round the clock in three shifts, along with the security staff at Sassoon Dock, Bhaucha Dhakka and Mirkar Wada in Ratnagiri. "There will be 23 supervisors and these appointments will be the first step towards enhancing coastal security."

This apart, the CM said, all fishing boats will be registered. The state is considering colour-coding the vessels as well as tagging them with radio frequency chips for better monitoring of their movements. The Fisheries Commissioner has been entrusted with the job of registering the fishing boats, which was earlier vested with the Maritime Board, Fadnavis said.

Khadse said the decision to boost coastal security has been taken along the lines of models adopted by Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. "The points from where the boats enter the sea have been identified and the fishermen would be provided with tokens while venturing into the water."

The revenue minister said that while the security personnel will be paid honorarium initially, they will be absorbed in government service. "The government will ensure that people having good knowledge of coastline are roped in for the job."