Lack of co-ordination among coastal security agencies: Experts

Coastal security is a big challenge in India in view of lack of co-ordination among various security and intelligence agencies, speakers at a conference said here today.
Bureaucrats and Naval officers spoke at a national conference on 'India's coastal and cyber security challenges' held at GITAM University here.
Former Union Home Secretary and Honorary Director of Centre for Human Security Studies K Padmanabhaiah said India's coastline remains vulnerable despite various measures taken in the wake of 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai.
The attack in 2008 had raised a series of questions about the lack of co-ordination among security services, the retired IAS officer said.

As threats loom large from neighbouring countries, India should develop strategies for long-term security of the sea, Padmanabhaiah added.
India's coastal security is an elaborate affair. It involves Coast Guard, Navy, coastal security police and a few other agencies, former DGP of Andhra Pradesh H J Dora said.

All these agencies must undergo vigorous training to improve capabilities for effective coastal security, he said.
Pointing out that identification of threat is a big challenge for maritime security establishment, Commodore K A Bopanna said nearly 2.4 lakh fishing boats regularly sail in the blue waters.
Tracking smaller fishing vessels is a tough task due to lack of automatic identification system (AIS) for these boats, said the Naval officer who is in-charge of Andhra Pradesh.