Coastal Security Scheme

Posted 22 Feb 2025

Updated 27 Feb 2025

4 min read

Why in the news?

During a review of the implementation of the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, various shortcomings were reported.

About Coastal Security scheme (CSS)

The scheme was formulated in 2005 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Objective: Strengthening infrastructure of Coastal Police for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow waters close to the coast.
Phases of the scheme
- Phase-I (2005-2011): Based on the requirements projected by the coastal States/Union Territories.
  - The government aided all the coastal states and UTs to set up 73 coastal police stations (CPS), 97 check posts, 58 outposts and 30 operational barracks.
- Phase-II (2011-2020): On the basis of vulnerability/gap analysis carried out by coastal States/Union Territories which projected additional requirements for strengthening the coastal security infrastructure.
- Phase-III: Currently under the process of formulation by the center.

significance of coastal security in India

Challenges to Coastal Security Mechanism in India

Topography and location: India has a 7,516 km long coastline with creek or rivulets, enabling multiple entry points and for illegal migration and maritime terrorism.
- E.g., Harami Nala, in the Sir Creek area of Kutch, Gujarat which originates from India and enters Pakistan has become a preferred route for infiltrators and smugglers.
Insufficient Manpower in Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Due to issues like recruitment challenges, tough selection processes, and limited operational capabilities
Poor Training: The absence of trained personnel at coastal patrolling and sea combat operations affects the marine police and the Customs.
Inadequate infrastructure: For instance, security in both Gujarat and Maharashtra are greatly constrained by the lack of adequate infrastructure in the form of office buildings, weapons, boats and vessels, etc.
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report presented in Parliament, said the coastal security force set up after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks still did not have full infrastructure.
Systemic Flaws: These include inter- and intra-agency confusion about areas of operational jurisdiction and lack of coordination, laws and procedures, and governmental apathy.
Fishing Vessel Monitoring: With over 300,000 registered fishing boats operating in Indian waters, distinguishing between legitimate fishing vessels and those involved in illegal activities poses a significant challenge.
- E.g., The explosives used in the 1993 serial attacks in Mumbai were smuggled through the Raigad coast in Maharashtra through a fishing boat.

Other Initiatives to Strengthen the Coastal Security

Maritime Security Modernization: India's maritime security agencies (Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police) are being upgraded with better capacity and new equipment like ships, submarines, helicopters, radars, and satellites.
- For E.g. The Andaman and Nicobar Command is a unified force of the three forces of Indian defense, including the Indian Coast Guard Theatre Command.
- Under Project Seabird, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Kadamba at Karwar, near Goa.
Technical Surveillance System: Projects and such as the Coastal Surveillance Network, the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network (NC3I) and the National Maritime Domain Awareness Project aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated picture of the maritime domain.
- E.g., The NC3I was established to link the operational Centers and lower echelons of the Navy and the Coast Guard spread across the country's coastline, including the island territories.
Inter-agency coordination: For E.g. National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security, the National Maritime Security Coordinator, the Joint Operations Centers and the Coastal Security Operations Centers help overcome the working in Silos features of agencies.
International Cooperation:
- Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative emphasises regional cooperation, economic growth, and a secure maritime environment.
- Forums like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) provide platforms for dialogue, cooperation, and coordinated efforts to address shared maritime challenges.

Conclusion

In the era of heighted coastal security concerns, the government will have to overcome the shortages in the existing coastal security architecture. There is a need to sustain the initiatives, recruit manpower, and ensure greater co-ordination among ICG, Indian Navy and other stakeholders to strengthen the overall national security. Moreover, infrastructure for monitoring and surveillance can be improved and the standard and quality of personnel training can be strengthened.