Ezhimala to be fully commissioned in 2009: Antony

Kannur, Apr 30 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today said the Ezhimala Naval Academy here would be fully commissioned in 2009.

All the infrastructure work at the academy would be completed by December 2008 and it would be dedicated to the nation in 2009, he told reporters here.

Noting that cross-border inflitration had declined, he said strict vigil was being maintained on infiltration from across the borders and also through the coastal areas.

As the coastal infiltration had been increasing, the Coast Guard would be strengthened to tackle this, he said and added the entire trade and economy depended on sea trade. However, more vigil was needed in the coastal areas, he said.

Asked about the LTTE's air attack in Colombo, he said the Navy and the Air Force had been strengthened to tackle any situation.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for Indian Naval Hospital ''Navajivani''.

UNI