Expansion of naval footprint in TN on the cards:

“The Indian Navy has accordingly upgraded the Naval organization in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and it is now headed by an Officer of the rank of Rear Admiral. It has been very satisfying for me to be at the helm and steer all operational and admin activities in TN&PNA over the last two years. I am happy to report the enhanced synergy between Indian Navy, the state government, the Coastal Security group and all other agencies. We are also at advanced stages of consultation with the state government and other central agencies towards expansion of Naval footprint in Tamil Nadu. We are confident of complete support of the state government for allotting us the much required land for infrastructure augmentation.

We aim to make an important Naval base in Chennai by creating the required Naval support infrastructure.

This in turn will also contribute to economy of Chennai and Tamil Nadu in the long run,” said Rear Admiral Bhatnagar, ahead of Navy Day (December 4), which commemorates the country’s glorious victory 46 years ago in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and salutes the valiant heroes.

This year marks the Golden Jubilee of Eastern Naval Command and the Indian Navy’s Submarine Arm. Rear Admiral Bhatnagar added that ships based in Chennai have been actively deployed in the Palk Bay to protect our national interests and thwart any breech of our Maritime Boundary Line.

“We have also been assisting the Tamil Nadu government in preventing movement of non-bonafide personnel, smuggling of contraband items poaching of banned creatures and search and rescue of stranded fishermen at sea. In the event of hostilities, we are responsible for ensuring freedom of navigation in the high seas and continued shipping operations from our ports to enable uninterrupted movement of essential supplies,” pointed out the FOTNA.

Rear Admiral Bhatnagar said that the Indian Navy, in close consultation with the state government, the Coast Guard, the Coastal Security Group, CISF, Fisheries, Ports, Customs, Animal Husbandry and Intelligence Bureau has been taking several initiatives to strengthen Coastal Security in Tamil Nadu. He also added, “Indian Navy is committed to support our fishermen and ensure that they are provided with a safe environment to fish and earn their livelihood.

Towards this, an International Maritime Boundary Line meeting between the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lankan Navy and Coast Guard is held biannually. The next meeting will be scheduled in January 2018.”