Vessel traffic monitor system to start from nest month

GANDHINAGAR: The vessel traffic and port management (VTPM) system in Gulf of Cambay will become operational from August end. The Rs 150 crore project is aimed at coastal security and better port management, as it identify and track all vessels, including fishing boats and submarines through radar monitoring and guide them safely.
The system developed under built own operate transfer (BOOT) model by Aatash Norcontrol will work at ports in Gulf of Cambay.
The hi-tech control centre set up near Hazira would coordinate with the Coast Gaurd authorities. The new system goes a step beyond automatic identification system (AIS) which is installed on all ships and ports these days.
India welcomes 22,000 vessels on its shore, of which 6,000 come visiting Gujarat shores alone. The traffic in the gulf is expected to grow several times in next one decade.
Interestingly, work on setting up the another similar system to track vehicles has been going on for over three years now in Gulf of Kutch. It is being funded by the central government with some support from the state government. However, it has missed several deadlines already.