The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) is working on an advanced underwater surveillance project to strengthen India’s maritime security and monitor environmental threats. As part of this initiative, the university is developing drones and robots that resemble marine creatures to blend in with the underwater environment.
“These robots will conduct sensor-based surveillance along India’s water borders and send real-time data to a central control room,” a senior official said. The technology will also help detect accidental or deliberate sea pollution.
Currently, the project is in its early research phase, officials added.
Crime on Gujarat’s maritime borders has surged in recent years. Drug and arms traffickers increasingly dump contraband into the sea to avoid capture. To counter this threat, Gujarat Marine Police and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) have launched a pioneering “Underwater Forensics” research project. The initiative promises to transform maritime crime investigation, according to high-level NFSU sources.
Rs 1800 crore drug haul
The need for such innovation became clear recently. The Anti-Terrorist Squad and Indian Coast Guard seized about 300 kg of drugs worth Rs 1800 crore near the India-Pakistan maritime border. During the operation, smugglers tried to throw drugs into the sea—a tactic that often lets criminals exploit legal gaps and escape prosecution. Arms smugglers use similar tricks along sea borders. This makes underwater forensics essential for finding submerged evidence. The new techniques could also help solve murders and suicides where key evidence ends up in seas, rivers or lakes.
Bridging the maritime justice gap
“Collecting evidence for crimes committed on maritime borders or in water bodies is exceptionally challenging,” explains a senior NFSU official. “Investigation agencies struggle to present watertight cases in court.”
“That’s why we need specialised methods for these crimes,” the official added. “The NFSU and Marine Police have started this pilot project for the central government. We’re combining underwater forensic techniques with artificial intelligence to tackle water-border crimes across the state.” The official noted, “NFSU will submit detailed findings to the central government within two to three months.”
Expert teams mapping maritime crime hotspots
NFSU’s underwater forensic specialists now work with Gujarat Marine Police teams. They’re surveying maritime borders including Veraval, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Surat and Kutch. Their research focuses on recovering human remains, narcotics and weapons from water. The teams use advanced underwater forensics and AI systems for this purpose. The upcoming report will set standard investigation protocols. These will address drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, illegal entry and human trafficking along India’s extensive maritime borders.