The Home Ministry has cancelled a tender for the purchase of 75 speed boats, which were sanctioned for coastal security after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, following allegations of corruption.
“Fresh process will be initiated to procure the vessels,” a Home Ministry official said. The speed boats were to be delivered to the police forces of coastal States.
Mumbai attacks
The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks had all come from Pakistan through the sea route, exposing the loopholes in security.
So far, 183 coastal police stations have been operationalised under the comprehensive and integrated Coastal Security Scheme (CSS).
India’s coastline is 7,516 km long. While the police forces of coastal States and Union Territories have jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, the Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have jurisdiction over the entire maritime zone up to 200 nautical miles.
