Coastal security is Centre's highest priority: Antony

New Delhi, Nov 25 (ANI): By giving top priority to coastal security the Union Government has placed an integrated approach to look after this.

In a written reply to lawmaker A. Vijayaraghavan in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said: "The intelligence-sharing mechanism has been streamlined through the creation of joint operation centres and multi agency coordination mechanism."

"Surface and air surveillance has been enhanced by Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships and aircraft all along the coast and in all offshore development areas," he added.

He also informed the member that joint operational exercises are taking place between Navy, Coast Guard, Coastal Police and Customs in order to check the effectiveness of the new systems.

"Central Government is funding coastal States and Union Territories through coastal security scheme for operationalisation of Coastal Police Stations, patrol boats etc for coastal security," Antony said

He added that the Indian Coast Guard has trained 1515 police personnel of costal states in handling crisis. (ANI)