'46 coastal radar stations sanctioned, 38 in pipeline'

Forty-six coastal radar stations have been sanctioned to strengthen maritime surveillance and foil attempts by terrorists to use the sea route to enter the country and work on 44 of these is complete, the Lok Sabha was informed Friday.

Another 38 stations will be established in the second phase of the project, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

"On the remaining two sites, work at Sagar Island has been delayed as the site was inundated due to cyclone Phailin and the subsequent monsoon," while the environment had declined permission at Narcondum Island.

"An alternate site has been identified at Brichganj Military Station, Port Blair. Further, in order to achieve near gap-free surveillance along the coastline, the government has also accorded approval for establishment of radar stations at 38 additional sites as Phase-II of the project," Jaitley said.