Coast Guard all set for major expansion: ICG IG

Mumbai, Jan 19 (UNI) In the backdrop of increased infiltration and terror attacks, the Coast Guard today announced plans to add 52 new ships to its existing fleet and induct 23 aircraft in the next five years to boost maritime patrolling and security.

Speaking to mediapersons onboard the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sangram, Inspector General (IG) A Rajashekar, who is also the Commander of the Western Zone, said bureacratic hurdles were delaying the acquisition of land for the opening of new Coast Guard stations at Karwar, Jaljira and Ratnagiri, along the Western coast.

''The Coast Guard (CG) will be forming a dedicated pollution control fleet as a quick response to control major oil spills and accidents in the high seas along the Indian coast. In this regard, Pollution Control Vessels(PVC) are being built at a Shipyard in Surat,'' he disclosed.

The ICG is a multifarious and multi-dimensional force under the Ministry of Defence which came into being in 1977. Since its inception, the force has been rendering yeoman service in the field of maritime search and rescue and Marine pollution response, besides safeguarding the country's Maritime frontiers and off-shore installations.

UNI