HC directive to centre on AIS stations

The Madras High Court has directed the Union Home Ministry to place a final picture with regard to the implementation of the project of establishing Automatic Identification System (AIS) stations along the coast line in Tamil Nadu.
The First bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.M. Sundresh, gave the direction while disposing of a petition by city-based lawyer S Gnaneswaran seeking provision of a chain of AIS stations along the state coast to safeguard the life of fishermen who often faced threat from Sri Lankan Navy when they without knowing the maritime boundary line trespass.
Referring to the Ministry's counter affidavit which stated that a committee had been formed for a pilot project in this regard, the court said "we thus dispose of the above petition with a direction to place a final picture before us with regard to implementation of the project and the time period required for its completion."

The petitioner had sought a direction from the court to provide a chain of AIS System Stations along the state coast and Global Positioning System in boats of fishermen to safeguard their lives.