Rs 800 Crore Set Aside For Beefing Up Coastline Security

A whopping Rs 800 crore has been set aside to strengthen surveillance of India’s 7,500-km long coastline, as part of phase two of a project.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest body for approval of defence programmes, led by Defence minister Manohar Parrikar, has given the nod for the installation of 38 additional coastal radar stations, which will enable a continuous surveillance of the coastline.

Under phase one 46 such coastal surveillance stations have been installed.

In addition, MoD has given the go-ahead for four mobile surveillance stations along with the integration of vessel traffic management systems in two places on Gujarat coastline.

"Coastal surveillance mechanism has been strengthened after 26/11 Mumbai terror. Vessel traffic management systems integrated at Kuchch and Khambat, as part of the surveillance mechanism," said an official

For the project, Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics Limited will be the lead integrator shortlisted by the ministry.

The DAC has also cleared a proposal to set up an integrated engine repair facility for Naval Mig-29K fighter jets at naval aircraft yard in Goa, the sources said.