With an eye to fortifying the coastal area, Mumbai police will hire boats from the fishing community if they fit their criteria.
According to Mid-Day, the Mumbai police is trying to hire six trawlers, some of which could even come from the fishing community. The boats will be hired for Rs 15,000 a boat a day, sources told the leading daily. The city police have said that Rs 2.75 crore had been sanctioned after the plan was approved by Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar. The Mumbai police currently have 72-speed boats and these trawlers will help the police for coastal security. These trawlers will be patrolling the coast for 12 hours a day.
A source from Mumbai police told the leading daily, “All boats of bidders will be thoroughly inspected and will be approved only if they meet strict specifications. Among the requirements are that the cabin size on board should be 10x7x6 and the boat should be 45 feet in length and 15 feet in width. Fishermen, too, can bid. The boat should be registered with the fisheries department as well as the Maritime Board.” The owner of the boat will provide a driver and helper and while have to tank up at their own cost. According to Mumbai police’s criteria, the owner will also have to provide an alternative boat in case of any technical glitches in the original one.
