File photo: X/CISF
NEW DELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which currently guards over 70 key airports and 13 seaports, has been mandated by the govt to act as the nodal or regulatory authority for all matters related to port security.The govt on Nov 18 designated CISF as the ‘recognised security organisation’ (RSO) for port security under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPFSC). The mandate, which aligns with the govt’s vision of port-led growth as it focuses on a ‘blue economy’ as a key driver of economic expansion, followed the recommendation of a joint committee of CISF and DG, Shipping, constituted in Sept 2024 to study port security, conduct gap analysis and suggest remedial measures.As the RSO for ports, CISF said it will carry out a fresh assessment of security systems, prepare standardised security plans compliant with ISPFSC and carry out core security functions at all seaports engaged in export and import (EXIM) operations across the country.There are around 77 EXIM ports in the country, including 12 major and around 65 non-major ports. Also, there are around 200 minor ports where no cargo is handled as of now. However as and when these ports become EXIM ports, CISF will regulate their security as well. “For all things related to port security, the CISF will be the nodal or regulatory authority. We will work in three domains — providing consultancy for the establishment of security systems and gadgets, deploying hybrid security manpower and training all stakeholders in the sector,” said a senior CISF officer.“The initiative aims to resolve longstanding gaps arising from non-standardised security arrangements at non-major ports and ensure oversight by a domain expert security agency across all such facilities,” added CISF DIG(Int) Ajay Dahiya.A hybrid security model, improved screening systems and dedicated training institutions and courses for port-security personnel are also being introduced, officials said.The core security functions to be handled by CISF include access control, CCTV surveillance, perimeter security, seafront patrolling, quick reaction teams and the integrated operations centre. Non-core duties such as traffic management, container terminals and ancillary tasks may be handled by state police, state industrial security forces or private security agencies. However, these personnel too will be trained by a team of CISF experts to ensure professional and standardised port security services.CISF has prepared different training modules, focused on basic port security, specialised security and audit.Till now, seaport security was being dealt with by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under the Directorate General of Shipping, and there was a requirement for a professional agency in this area, a CISF officer said.The officer disclosed that the idea to have a professional and sovereign RSO, had emerged from various top-level security meetings chaired by the prime minister and the home minister over the last few years, where the vulnerability and security gaps in the 254 big and small seaports of the country were underlined.