The government has made the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in charge of major and minor Indian seaports. The Centre has made CISF the new safety regulator for the about 250 maritime facilities, officials said on Friday.
CISF has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for seaports. An RSO acts as a regulator for seaport security. To date, there has been no professional security organisation for seaports, and the subject was being dealt with under the DG Shipping organisation, a CISF official said.
The designation of the central paramilitary force under the Union Home Ministry has been done by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways through an order issued on November 18, CISF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajay Dahiya said.
This is a significant reform and a path-breaking step to enhance security across India's seaports. As ports play a vital role in trade, logistics and India's growing Blue Economy, the government is introducing a series of measures to modernise and standardise port security nationwide, he then added.
Since CISF has been handed over the security, the force will be in charge of the key functions such as conducting updated security assessments, preparing security plans, and undertaking core security duties.
The decision comes as a major stride toward creating secure, efficient and future-ready ports that support India's economic growth and global maritime ambitions, the DIG remarked.
Despite having approximately 250 small and intermediate seaports, only about 65 to 68 of these facilities in India are currently engaged in active cargo operations. Security arrangements for these ports vary: the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is responsible for the 13 major seaports, while private security agencies handle a "key role" in securing the cargo zones, warehouses, access gates, and various installations at the smaller facilities.
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