Coastal patrolling has been affected here for the past few months following a deadlock between the Territorial Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over approval of fuel costs.
According to sources, the Home Ministry had sanctioned a 12-tonne boat and another 5-tonne vessel to check infiltration and smuggling from Vanchur to Mandapathur and to keep a watch on fishermen and those bathing in the sea.
The boats were patrolling the coast twice a day. However, in November last, the 12-tonne boat hit a rock at the Arasalaru estuary and was damaged. Experts from the Boat Building Centre at Kolkata inspected it and certified it ‘abandoned’. The 5-tonne boat alone was in service, but it too was stopped from May reportedly due to a difference of opinion between the Central and Territorial Governments in issuing a grant of approval for purchase of fuel.
As a result, coastal police personnel were left to execute their patrol duty on two-wheelers.
Meanwhile, the government is making efforts to inaugurate a new building for the coastal police station which has been constructed at a cost of `5 crore.
When asked for his comment, Senior Superintendent of Police of Karaikal District A Anto Alphonse said the Home Ministry had been requested to replace the 12-tonne boat.
The Ministry bore the fuel cost for a certain period of time. Subsequently, it required the Territorial Government to defray the expenditure. The Territorial Government was to issue approval and the Union Government was kept updated.
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