Kolkata: Sanjay Seth, minister of state for defence, paid an official visit to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Regional Headquarters (North East) in Kolkata on Sunday. The minister met senior officers and reviewed operational readiness and infrastructure plans for the region during this maiden visit.
The ICG Regional Headquarters (North East) is in charge of operations along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha. It has two large operational bases at Paradip in Odisha and Haldia in West Bengal from where ships and hovercrafts are operated. There are also two air enclaves in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar that operate Dornier aircraft as well as Chetak and Dhruv helicopters.
Apart from securing the coastline from possible seaborne terror strikes, the ICG also prevents smuggling, piracy and poaching. It also saves lives at sea during cyclonic weather and evacuates ailing mariners from merchant vessels. The ICG is also in charge of the marine environment. Not only does the Force work towards curbing pollution and oil spills, it also takes care of endangered species. At the moment, this headquarters is part of Ops Olivia that provides protection to thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles that arrive to lay eggs on beaches along Odisha’s coast.
“The minister was briefed on the operational activities undertaken over the past year and strides taken to keep pace with evolving security scenario in the North-East Area of Responsibility (AoR). The minister also visited the Remote Operations Centre (ROC) of Chain of Static Sensors and was briefed on the electronic surveillance measures for ensuring coastal security in the Region,” the Ministry of Defence spokesperson in Kolkata said.
Seth was impressed by the role played by the Indian Coast Guard and praised its efforts to save precious lives at sea and safeguard India’s maritime zones, even during harsh weather conditions.
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