‘Coastal security has vastly improved’

India has considerably improved its maritime and coastal security since the Mumbai terror attack 10 years ago, but a comprehensive regulatory mechanism for stakeholders is needed to improve coordination and help make best use of institutional capabilities, experts have said.

The 2008 terror attack had exposed gaps in coastal security. The government had then initiated steps to improve surveillance along the country’s 7,516-km-long coastline.

As part of the steps taken, the Cabinet Committee on Security had assigned specific responsibilities to the Navy and Coast Guard in 2009. The Navy was given responsibility of overall maritime security, including offshore and coastal security, and the Coast Guard was entrusted with responsibility of coastal security in territorial waters.