Transport Security

Indian port strengthens security

By Alice Kok | 2 March 2009

The south Indian port of Kochi has taken measures to bolster security in the wake of last November’s attacks on Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital, which were launched from sea.

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Under instructions from central government, the Cochin Port Trust has introduced a biometric identity card system for access control of the port. All port employees, port users and visitors are required to swipe the card at the port’s entry gates.

This system helps identify those who enter or exit the security zones and also keeps accurate time records of those who enter and exit the premises. As the port has now introduced an e-governance (e-port) system, the access control system has been directly linked to the accounting system that automatically calculates and prepares the salary, overtime bills and other similar services.

All major trade unions using the port have shown support for the new system. Prior to its introduction, the port management had carried out several rounds of discussions with the trade unions to get clearance for the initiative.

Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is 1400 kilometres from Mumbai. It is heavily visited by tourists who explore the sleepy backwaters of Kerala.