The CISF has been tasked with providing security to ports and also ensure an airport-like facility for travellers of luxury ships, as part of the Government’s grand plans to promote cruise tourism.
Initially, 4000 CISF personnel will be posted at 12 major ports and six shipyards for providing security in cruise marinas. CISF will be responsible for all entry and exit operations at the port, frisking of disembarking and boarding passengers, validation of travel tickets, carrying out anti- sabotage checks and simplifying arrival procedures for incoming tourists.
The CISF has also designated, for the first time, a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officer at its headquarters here to look after the security of all the ports under its security umbrella in the country.
“The security set up at the ports will be like that of the airports. The control and access of the port area will be regulated by the CISF and protocols as per international standards will be put in place at the designated ports where cruise ships will anchor,” a senior Home Ministry official said. Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma had on Tuesday announced Centre’s plans to soon come out with a full-fledged cruise tourism policy.