The Odisha Government has urged the Union Home Ministry to provide adequate funds for a full-fledged Coastal Security System (CSS) in the State.
Presenting the issues on CSS at a review meeting held in Mumbai on Thursday chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the State’s Home Principal Secretary Asit Tripathy said Odisha is alive to the possibility of infiltration of foreign nationals through sea route and danger of terrorists using the coastal waters and has strengthened the police apparatus adequately along the coastline.
Odisha DGP KB Singh and Fisheries Secretary Bishnupada Sethi also attended the meeting.
Tripathy said the manpower for all the Marine police stations in the State at the rate of 103 per PS works out to be 1,854 and would require Rs40 crore annually. The other expenses including fuel, etc., work out to be an additional Rs 40 crore. The Union Government should continue to assist the State at 50:50 ratio.
He said the CSS is being implemented in the State through 18 Marine PSs in six coastal districts. However, the funds provided for construction of each MPS was Rs33 lakh in the first phase and Rs48 lakh in the second phase. But the actual cost is Rs80 lakh per MPS, said he, adding that the State Government has requested the Centre to release the differential amount.
Secondly, 15 boats have been provided to the State, which needs more boats with modified designed boats to negotiate creeks due to inadequate draft even during high tide period.
Tripathy said Odisha with a 485-km-long coastline has extensive economic activities undertaken by three ports, a petroleum refinery and a petrochemical complex and presence of several Defence establishments and these prime national assets need vigil and protection from any threat from sea route.
While security of the Paradip Port is being taken care by the CISF, the security aspect of the Dhamra and Gopalpur Ports would soon be looked after by State Industrial Security Forces, said he.