Now, the shore along the 157-km-long coastline in the district has also come under intensified surveillance of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) with the launch of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV).
In the first phase, 12 specially designed state-of-the-art ATVs (motorcycle type) had been introduced to ensure effective patrolling on the shore along the 1,076-km-long coastline of the State under the control of 12 marine police stations. Jeep-type patrol vehicles would be introduced in the next phase to further strengthen patrolling, Additional Director General of Police, CSG, C. Sylendra Babu told The Hindu on Saturday.
The 500 cc ATV, imported from Hong Kong, was designed to move at a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour on the shore. It could move swiftly on sandy beaches, rough terrains and also through shallow waters or river mouth up to a depth of two feet. These vehicles would enable marine police personnel to maintain a close watch on landing points to prevent smugglers or intruders from entering the mainland.
The armed police personnel would also watch the movements at sea with the help of binoculars. Each ATV would be manned by two police personnel.
Mr. Babu said in Chennai, ATVs with surfboards were also being used in life-saving missions. Apart from the 12 marine police stations set up in the coastal districts, 30 more stations would be established. They would include four stations in Tuticorin district (Vembar, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur and Kulasekarapatnam), and one each in Tirunelveli (Uvari) and Kanyakumari (Kovalam), he added.
Inspector of Tharuvaikulam Marine Police C. Mahesh Jeyakumar said with two fast interceptor boats and an ATV, patrolling was maintained at regular intervals in Tuticorin district.
