CISF to Now Guard Nation’s Ports, Nodal Agency for Drone Security: Amit Shah

BuzzBytes
MUNDALI (ODISHA), Mar 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced a significant expansion of the Central Industrial Security Force’s mandate, declaring that the force will now oversee the security of various sea ports across the country while also being designated as the nodal agency for drone security.
In his address at the 57th Raising Day of the CISF held here, Shah highlighted the force’s evolving role in protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. He stated that the CISF already safeguards 361 critical installations, including 71 airports, the Parliament complex, and the Statue of Unity near Kevadia in Gujarat.
“The CISF undertakes such a variety of tasks. You are securing the grand monument of Sardar Patel, you are protecting our Parliament complex, the largest panchayat of our democracy, and elsewhere you are securing dams and critical railway installations,” the Home Minister said.
Detailing the strategic shift toward maritime and aerial defence, Shah announced that the government has worked to formally include the security of ports within the CISF’s purview. He also revealed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to create a new vertical for drone security, with the CISF designated as the nodal agency for this critical domain.
Highlighting the force’s growing footprint over the past year, Shah listed several new locations recently approved for CISF protection. These include the Kartavya Bhavan, Seva Teerth, Noida International Airport, Navi Mumbai Airport, and various critical energy and mining projects such as the Talaipalli coal mine project in Chhattisgarh.
“After the CISF takes over the security of the ports, our maritime safety will improve in tandem with the country’s economic growth,” Shah asserted.
This landmark announcement follows a recent decision by the Centre to designate the CISF as a Recognised Security Organisation under the International Ship and Port Facility Security code. This designation effectively makes the paramilitary force the new safety regulator for approximately 250 facilities along India’s maritime borders.
The role of ensuring security at export-import ports was previously managed by the Indian Register of Shipping. However, the government identified a critical need for a professional paramilitary agency to handle core functions such as counter-terrorism and anti-sabotage operations at these strategic maritime locations, leading to the transfer of responsibilities to the CISF.