The Indian government has launched a major initiative to enhance port security across the country, tackling growing concerns about contraband, security breaches, and a uniform response to incidents. The move follows a recent discussion led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which stressed the need for better security at ports. Recently, an institutional response much bigger has been initiated. That is the establishment of the Bureau of Port Security for the standardisation of security on both public as well as on private ports of India.
Structuring the Bureau of Port Security
The entire process of structural setting up a dedicated security for India’s Ports has now in earnest started with the government initiatives. Home Minister Amit Shah is to head a very crucial meeting this Thursday which is going to unite senior officers of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Home Ministry, and agencies such as Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). At such a strategic gathering, the scope will be broadened to describe the plan adopted and executed by the Bureau of Port Security in accomplishing such an arduous task of implementing single uniform security among all ports that constitute the country’s shores.
The central idea behind the Bureau is to streamline coordination between the enforcement agencies, port authorities, and maritime security services so that they become less bureaucratic. By the centralized mechanism, the Bureau will make sure all of these groups function together and share the same security levels across ports irrespective of size.
Issues Port Security Encounters
Security is emerging as a concern at India’s ports-from the large, centrally governed major ports to small, state or privately managed ones. Security is addressed centrally at 12 major ports, which are equipped with CISF personnel. However, minor ports that increasingly handle bigger cargo rely more on private security agencies for access control. There is an increased concern about the disparities in security levels because of the likelihood of escalated threats of contraband movement through ports.
There is no security procedure followed strictly for all the ports. For this reason, security had been handled in an uneven manner. Private security officers are available at minor ports; therefore, there is less strictness to the security standards. This becomes a concern to the major ports as response and handling times get longer for proper incidents.
The Bureau of Port Security: A New Deal for Coordination
The first and most important role of the Bureau of Port Security will be to install a standardized security procedure for all the ports—whether they are central, state, or private. As cargo volumes handled by minor ports increase, a uniform system is in great demand. Providing a constant security framework by the Bureau ensures the prompt response with coordination during a security incident across any port of whatever size and ownership.
The new structure will also make it easier to handle problems regarding the seizure of contraband that should not receive conflicting treatments at different ports. The Bureau will also encourage collaboration between various agencies, such as law enforcement and customs officers, in order to more effectively handle security issues.
Features of the Bureau of Port Security Initiative
The following key features characterize the Bureau of Port Security program:
- Unified Security Protocol: This ensures a uniform security standard is applied at all ports, thereby giving a better response time and coordination in case of an incident.
- Improved Coordination Between Stakeholders: Enhancement of communication and cooperation between port authorities, law enforcement, customs, and maritime security bodies.
- Positive actions on contraband: Simplification of procedures to prevent smuggled goods crossing the ports with the strengthening of checks and balances.
- Public private ports: Equitable filling of security gap between Central government-controlled ports, on the one hand and private or state-owned ports on the other, so that across all ports a seamless security structure aligns.
- Quick response time: Ensuring security forces will react to events in good time and appropriately to minimize chances of interference of port activities.
Government’s Drive in Improving Port Security
The bold step made by the government is setting up the Bureau of Port Security in India that would aim at promoting national security and safe trading activities at sea. Indian ports contribute greatly to India’s economy and thus, these should be well secured from possible threats which can damage the smooth flow of trades or affect the public’s safety.
The national administration has given origin to this new Bureau when it is paying in great degree of attention upon securing its infrastructure related to the very concept of safety, the nation’s airports, and bordering points that decorate the national atlas. Ports necessitate the excellent security for enabling the better servicing of security within economics under the aegis of India emerging into an important trading nation of global commerce.
Conclusion: A move forward toward firmer maritime safety
This step is closer to the modernization and safety of the ports in India. The uniform security procedures that big and small ports will have ensure that they avoid all that might prove to be a threat to the security. Since the government would be implementing the same, this is done with an understanding that port authorities and enforcement agencies will play a vital role in charting the future for India’s port security.
This will not only secure India’s ports from contraband smuggling but also make the country a leader in secure and efficient maritime operations that benefit trade and national security alike.
Refer:
TOI, Link to article
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