The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has arrested 1,683 people and seized 179 boats for illegally entering Indian waters and participating in illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and poaching during the last ten years. This information was presented in Parliament by Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, who also highlighted the ICG’s efforts to improve coastal security. There is now a toll-free number (1554) for reporting emergencies involving ships.
The Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN), Remote Operating Stations (ROS), and Remote Operating Centers (ROCs) are some of the sophisticated surveillance tools used by the ICG. 18–20 ships, 30–35 craft, and 10–12 aircraft are involved in daily patrols. The ICG has carried out 3,645 joint coastal patrol sorties, 451 security operations, 458 drills, 153 coastal security exercises, and 300,296 boarding operations in the past ten years. Furthermore, ₹1,583.8 crore was spent on CSN infrastructure, and ₹12,201 crore was set aside for the purchase of ships and airplanes.
Regular engagement programs with fishermen are conducted to increase community involvement in maritime safety and security.
States have set up fishermen’s watch groups to report any suspicious activity along the coast. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coastal security have also been created to specify roles for all parties involved and to direct response efforts.
