PANJIM: Goa Coastal Police will soon be strengthened with All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in a bid to enhance security along the State’s 105-km coastline. The two-seater 4-wheelers will be allotted to each of the seven marine police stations, a move that comes as part of implementing Phase-II of the coastal security scheme.
A senior police officer said that last month the department sent a proposal for seven ATVs and night vision cameras for all seven coastal police stations, to the Home Department. “Once the proposal is approved, further procedures like tendering will follow,” said an officer explaining the importance of ATVs in the tourism State.
This addition, the officer said, will boost coastal and beach patrolling as the vehicles can be operated on tough off-roads trails and sandy dunes. “We have taken a trial run of different makes of ATVs after which it was proposed to the government to include these in the existing fleet of vehicles for coastal police. ATVs will enhance security measures along the coastline,” he said.
Two Indian companies, one of which is an importer of ATVs, have shown interest in the project. Several coastal states have proposed ATVs for their staff and Goa has now followed the suit. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are already equipped with ATVs.
While the current proposals for ATVs and night visions falls under the Phase-II modernisation scheme, Goa Police will propose for 20-toner boats under the ensuing Phase-III. As of now, the marine police stations have nine interceptor boats in addition to inflatable boats. Goa has seven coastal police stations at Tiracol, Siolim, Chapora, Panjim, Harbour, Betul and Agonda.
Until now, it was Tourism Department that opted for ATVs to boost adventure tourism in the State. However, it awaited a go-ahead from the central ministry to formally launch these vehicles here.
