Agniveers to be recruited in ₹1,500-crore coastal security upgradation project

The police department has been given the go-ahead to fill vacant posts in the coastal security wing, with about 15% to 20% of sanctioned posts currently vacant.

The ₹1,500-crore plan is to be implemented over five years. The state government expects ₹300 crore from the Centre as part of a special coastal funding programme and has also sought ₹1,000 crore for police modernisation.

The plan includes setting up a coastal training institute in Ratnagiri to provide specialised training for police deployed on coastal security duties, along with procuring modern drones for patrolling.

Officials said the focus would be on Agniveers who retire from the Navy after four years of service, as they would already have background and training for coastal protection. A decision on whether personnel should be inducted through the routine police recruitment process or through a special coastal security recruitment drive was yet to be taken.

In a review meeting with senior home department officials and the police, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved in principle a ₹1,500-crore coastal security upgradation plan, including induction of Agniveers and Home Guards, and procurement of state-of-the-art boats (including catamarans) and drones. The plan also envisages a coastal training institute at Ratnagiri.

Most boats deployed in coastal districts were procured in 2009 after the Mumbai terror attacks, including 25 funded by the central government. By 2026, more than 45 of the 58 boats deployed had broken down, underscoring the need for modernization.