Drones to check TN fishermen’s entry along Nellore coast

Tirupati: The state govt will deploy advanced drone surveillance systems to prevent Tamil Nadu fishermen from entering a 120-km coastal stretch in Nellore district.Nellore district collector Himanshu Shukla said the proposed system is aimed at preventing illegal fishing activities, unauthorised trespassing and cross-border violations by fishing boats from Karaikal in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.TDP Rajya Sabha MP Dr Beedha Masthan Rao said intrusion by fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry into the AP coastline has led to clashes with local fishermen for decades. Such unauthorised entry into Andhra Pradesh territorial waters has also raised concerns over marine resource exploitation, law enforcement and coastal security.The issue resurfaced recently after the mysterious release of four Tamil Nadu boats that had been held for nearly eight months at the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour. The incident snowballed into a major political controversy, drawing the attention of the Andhra Pradesh government.While long-term measures, including the purchase of high-speed mechanised boats, have been initiated, the Nellore district administration has intensified coastal monitoring to protect local fishermen. Special patrol teams have been deployed at sea to prevent the entry of mechanised boats from neighbouring states.To further strengthen surveillance and enable timely preventive action, the administration will deploy advanced drones equipped with monitoring and communication systems to deter illegal entry along the coast.The collector said the drones will have a surveillance range of up to 25 km and will feature real-time GPS tracking integrated with live video recording.“These drones will have day-and-night surveillance capability, along with inbuilt microphones and high-decibel siren systems for warning and deterrence. They will also be equipped with voice broadcasting systems to issue warnings in multiple languages, including Tamil and Telugu,” Shukla said.The deployment of these drones at Krishnapatnam port and Juvvaladinne fishing harbour is expected to significantly enhance monitoring by enabling continuous surveillance of vulnerable coastal stretches, early detection of unauthorised fishing and quicker response by enforcement agencies.The system is intended to strengthen coastal security, deter illegal entry into Andhra Pradesh waters, and safeguard marine resources, thereby benefiting local fishing communities.