Question : Illegal Activities along Coastal Border

(a) whether the Government is aware that some illegal activities are taking place between East and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh where Vashishtha Godavari merges into the Bay of Bengal which has become highly vulnerable to illegal and clandestine activities posing a major security threat;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is true that inadequate coastal vigilance, easy inland approaches through river creeks, remoteness and thick mangrove forests facilitates unhindered movement of unlicensed boats at Narasapur area of Andhra Pradesh and incidents of smuggling of oil and silver apart from illicit arms trade are posing serious security threats;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures taken/proposed to be taken to keep vigil in this area and also strengthen coastal security?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d) : No serious illegal activity in the areas along East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, which poses major security threat, has come to the notice of the Government. There is no report of oil and silver smuggling through water transport between East Godavari with Narsapur, West Godavari district. However, there is movement of small fishermen boats in these areas for fishing activities.


-2-
LS.US.Q.No.2421 FOR 02.01.2018
(e) : The Government has taken various measures towards strengthening coastal security. There is adequate three-tier security mechanism for the maritime zone of the country. Coastal areas of the country are safeguarded by the police forces of the respective coastal States/UTs, which have jurisdiction of up to 12 nautical miles from the coast and by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy, who have jurisdiction over the entire maritime zone up to 200 nautical miles, including the 12 nautical miles of territorial waters.
The Government of India is also implementing the Coastal Security Scheme in phases with the objective of strengthening infrastructure of Police Force of the coastal States/UTs for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow areas close to the coast. Andhra Pradesh has been provisioned of 21 Coastal Police Stations, 48 boats, 7 jetties, 27 four-wheelers and 48 two-wheelers, under the scheme.
Taking measures to keep vigil and to strengthen coastal security is a continuous process and the Government takes various initiatives as and when required.

*****