Indian Coast Guard Pushes for Boat Deal

The Indian Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring a fleet of modern, high-speed boats to patrol sensitive stretches of the coastline. A proposal to purchase 15 boats is expected to come up for approval on Thursday. The proposal is part of the government's ambitious Coastal Security Plan, which envisages a multi-pronged approach by the Coast Guard, Navy and security agencies in the form of marine police stations, outposts and checkposts with high speed boats for more effective patrolling. Sources said the process for getting these high-speed boats with speeds upto 25 knots is likely to take at least six months and the Coast Guard is likely to begin inducting these vessels into their fleet towards the end of this year. The high-speed boats the Coast Guard proposes to purchase will be spread across these police stations, with special emphasis on Maharashtra and Gujarat. Goa is also expected to come under close scrutiny, particularly after the alert in December warning of terror attacks on foreign tourists. Source: Indian Express