The mayhem wrought by terrorists in Mumbai for 72 hours at a stretch has exposed the vulnerability of India's 7,500km long coast line, dotted by 13 major ports and 185 minor ports.rnIndia's coastal areas have remained largely unprotected and adequate infrastructure for coastal surveillance is lacking. It has therefore become difficult to prevent infiltration and smuggling of arms and explosives by sea. Encroachers have obviously taken advantage of gaps in the long coastline, maritime experts have told Fairplay. The Coastal Security Scheme launched by the Indian governmentrnas early as March 2006 seems to have made little progress. Out of 73 marine coastal police stations sanctioned, it appears only 55 have become operationalrnand these are said to have inadequate and ill-trained staff.
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