Soon, Indian Coast Guard to be world No.2

ICG Region (East) comprising Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry which currently has 28 commissioned vessels, 11 non-commissioned vessels, 5 Hovercraft, 5 Dornier aircraft and 4 helicopters is expected to double its aircraft, helicopters, commissioned and non-commissioned vessels, according to Commander CG Region (East) Inspector General SP Sharma. 

Talking to DTNext, Sharma said the interceptor boats, fast patrol vessels and offshore patrol vessels to be acquired would all be built in Vizag, Kochi, Goa and Mumbai. Private ship builders had also been roped in for this task including the L&T yard at Kattupalli. 

The latter had been issued orders to build 7 off shore patrol vessels. The first, for which the keel was laid a few days ago, is expected to be completed in 2017. Another fast patrol boat, CG Arnavesh would be commissioned at Vizag on March 21, he added.  

To ensure foolproof security along the coast (TN’s coast is 1076 kilometres of India’s total coastline of 7516 Kms) 36 radar stations have been created all along the coast of which 13 are located in Easter Region, he said. To save cost, radar stations have been located in light houses in cooperation with the Directorate general of Lighthouses, he added. Another 36 radar stations were planned in the second phase for which site selection was under way. 

The stations would have facilities for night vision and low visibility cameras to ensure round the clock security. The stations would also have national Automatic Identification System (AIS) to enhance security further.