Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Commander-in-Chief Coastal Defence (South) and Dr Venu V Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala co-chaired Annual Joint Coastal Security Review Meeting of Kerala at Thiruvanathapuram on 08 April 2024. The meeting was aimed at strengthening Coastal Security apparatus of state and to bring in greater synergy amongst all stakeholders. In addition to the senior Naval and Coast Guard representatives, the high level meeting was attended by ACS (Home), DGP and State Police Chief, Principal Director, Department of Fisheries, Chairperson Cochin Port Authority, Chairman Kerala Maritime Board, Joint Director, State Intelligence Bureau, AIG (Coastal Security), Assistant Commissioner of Customs, and General Manager M/s BPCL. In a first, IAF representatives from Southern Air Command SAC also participated in the meeting. All key issues pertaining to Coastal Security aspects along with progress made since last review meeting were discussed and suitably addressed. The emerging challenges in maritime domain and technological means to build futureproof coastal security architecture were deliberated. Emphasis was laid on employment of innovative and indigenously developed means. Both, Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (South) and Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala, having reviewed the progress, conveyed their satisfaction over the progress and reiterated their commitment towards building a robust framework and roadmap for strengthening coastal security of Kerala.
