Soon, ports to get airport-grade security

NEW FEDERAL AGENCY

- Prawesh Lama

The Bureau of Ports Security (BoPS), a new federal agency meant to oversee the security of ports across the country, will include a cybersecurity division and work toimplement more stringent access control and security managementacross the country’s ports, similar to the systems at airports, people familiar with the matter said.

On December 19, the ministry of home affairs announced the setting up of BoPS, which will be headed bya director general (DG) from the Indian Police Service (IPS). According to officials familiar with the matter, the agency will be involved in the overhaul of security managementatall ports— from laying down security protocols and monitoring operations to training personnel to meet the best industry standards,

Established asa statutory body under Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping ‘Act, 2025, the agency will function under the aegis of the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways and will be responsible for reguiatory oversight and coordination related to the security of shipsand portinfrastructure.