The country's 7,500 km-long coastline will be soon secured with a network of radars and static sensors to avert any terror attack like 26/11.
Besides, the Indian Coast Guard will be the biggest force among all such forces in world by the end of 2018, defence minister AK Antony said here on Tuesday.
"After 26/11, the Coast Guard has become the nodal agency for ensuring coastal security. Since then, the government has sanctioned an additional manpower of 4,360 to the force — more than 50 per cent of its existing strength then," he said while addressing the 30th annual Coast Guard commanders' conference here.
He said that to tighten the coastal security, a chain of 46 static sensors atop lighthouses along the coastline and 36 such radars in the mainland will be installed in the first phase that would be completed by 2012.
"Also within the last three years, the assets of the Coast Guard have increased by 50 percent. The number of stations will also double, with another 20 being sanctioned, along with a new regional headquarters at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The total number of coast guard stations is now 31 with a district headquarters in Lakshadweep," he said.
"Indian shipyards are building 156 ships, boats and other vessels for the Coast Guard. Twelve more maritime patrol aircraft will join the force within two years," he added.
He also said the Cabinet Committee on Security would take a decision on finalising a new policy on fighting piracy.
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