Mumbai Port Trust seeks Centre's intervention to step up security at Mumbai Harbour

Against the backdrop of the 26/11 terror attacks, the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has sought the Centre’s intervention to step up security around the Mumbai Harbour. Last week, MbPT submitted a presentation to Shipping Minister GK Vasan in this regard.

“There has been no clarity on the agency responsible for security. Whether it is the Mumbai Police or the Coast Guard or the Central Reserve Police Force or the Indian Navy, it should be clarified at the earliest. The port can be responsible for access control from land,” an MbPT official told Business Standard.

The official said the coastal police was ill-equipped to handle incidents similar to 26/11. “MbPT is of the strong view that the Coast Guard be entrusted with the responsibility of the security of the harbour to tackle any eventuality firmly.” The Mumbai Harbour, an open bay, houses MbPT, oil and chemical terminals, dock complex, etc. There are also various defence installations, including Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. MbPT handled cargo traffic of 54.54 million tonnes in 2009-10.