Paradip, Sept. 29: The state’s oldest marine police station in the township has failed to work effectively, being plagued by infrastructure deficiencies.

The police station uses an unsafe multi-storey building near the Nehru Bungalow area on the fringes of the township.

The station became operational on March 1, 2009. Functioning in a dilapidated building, it has neither the infrastructure nor the human resources to tackle subversive elements. From day one, it has achieved little in sea-route interception and arrest.

The marine police officials also pleaded vulnerability to rise to the occasion.

“The building is not safe. The problem is the unavailability of adequate land required for the police station building in the port area,” said a marine police official.

Inspector of Paradip marine police station Bhabagrahi Rout said: “We are short of staff members and require infrastructure. Nevertheless, we take help from the coast guards to tackle the coastal security threat. The posts of three assistant sub-inspectors, 41 constables and 10 havildars have been vacant since long. At present, the police station has only three assistant sub-inspectors, seven constables, six havildars and an officer.”

This police station has heavy responsibility as nearly 150 ships come to Paradip port from many countries each month. The staff members at the police station patrol along with the customs and coast guard officials. “We also guard the sea routes and regularly check the trawlers and other vessels in the sea. It’s unfeasible to keep vigil with such minimal staff strength. As the Paradip coastline is exposed to sea route infiltration due to increased maritime activities, the officials are failing to operate efficiently,” said another police official.

“We have three fast-patrol-crafts. But, there is a dearth of technical employees for its operation. Though former naval personnel execute patrols, their number is negligible,” he said.