New Delhi [India], July 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that India's coastal security is impregnable, and stressed the need for a database of security personnel to be deployed under the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).
Reviewing the progress made in the establishment of the BoPS along with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the home minister directed that only licensed private security agencies should be entrusted with port security, and only those private security personnel who have received training from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) should be deployed.
He directed the CISF to conduct trial runs of the security arrangements proposed to be handed over to the BoPS at major ports across the country, including Visakhapatnam Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, and Mundra Port.
The minister emphasised that the training of security personnel for the Port Security Training Institute (PSTI) should commence at the earliest using the existing infrastructure available for the institute.
He further asked for container scanning facilities at all ports covered under the BoPS security framework.
"The government is firmly committed to making the country's coastal security unbreachable. The BoPS is being established as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The Bureau will be headed by a Director General and will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways," said Shah while chairing the meeting.
He further stated that the BoPS will be responsible for regulatory and inspection functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities, and it will ensure the timely analysis, collection, and sharing of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity.
"The Bureau will also have a dedicated division to safeguard the IT infrastructure of ports against digital threats."
Shah also held a meeting with officials of the Department of Fisheries and issued necessary directions for strengthening the security of fishing harbours and fish landing centres. He directed that the 'Nabhmitra' app, developed by ISRO, should be promoted more extensively so that a larger number of fishermen can download it on their mobile phones.
The minister directed officials of the Department of Fisheries to write to the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of all districts, asking them to submit to the Central government a list of all fish landing centres located in their respective districts. He also said that the registration process for fishermen should be made simpler and more accessible.
Amit Shah further directed that the District Superintendents of Police should ensure adequate security arrangements at fish landing centres and that only permanent police personnel are deployed at these facilities.
The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary; Director of the Intelligence Bureau; Secretary, Border Management; Secretary, Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Secretary, Department of Fisheries; Director General of the CISF; and other senior officials.