MUMBAI: The state government has formed a committee to suggest security measures for the Gateway of India.

The committee, headed by Chandra Iyengar, the additional chief secretary (home), and other officials from the coast guard and Mumbai Port Trust, will prepare a compressive policy for the security at the Gateway. The decision to this effect was taken by state home minister R R Patil in a high-level meeting at Mantralaya on Monday. The meeting, called to review security of the Gateway and the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra-Worli Sea Link, was attended by top police and home department officials.

“Depending on the report of the committee, the security arrangements will be made at Gateway of India,’’ said the home minister.

According to a senior home department official, the minister wants to have proper registration of the boats ferrying in the sea. “There is no scanner to check baggage that land or are taken into the sea through these boats. The minister wants to plug this loophole,’’ the official added.

The Gateway of India has been always on the radar of terror groups. A series of blasts had taken place at the spot in 2003.

Aware of the fact that tightening security around this tourist spot may not go well with many, the minister has directed the committee to prepare a plan which will not damage the tourism of the state. “We want to enhance our coastal security without disturbing tourism,’’ Patil said.

The state home department is also ready with security plans for the sea link, which is one the possible terror targets, according to the inputs given by the central agencies. “We have made a provision of Rs 52 crore for the security of this bridge,’’ Patil said. According to the plan, the bridge will have closed-circuit cameras at regular intervals and sensors between two poles beneath the bridge to detect explosives, the minister stated.