New Delhi: To strengthen security along the
Karnataka coast in the backdrop of last year`s Mumbai attacks,
the government will open a new Coast Guard (CG) station at
Karwar tomorrow and arm it with speed boats to counter terror
threats.
CG Director General Vice Admiral Anil Chopra will
commission the new station that is being established based on
the security assessment undertaken by the government for
strengthening maritime security on the western coast, the
Defence Ministry said here today.
The station will function under the operational command
of CG West Region Commander Inspector General S P S Basra and
it would have Commandant (Junior Grade) Anil Sharma as its
Commanding Officer.
The government has already planned to establish 14 more
CG stations to cover all states and Union Territories along
the country`s 7,500-km long coastline to address the security
gap, apart from the Karwar station, in the next few years.
Karwar CG station would operate two fast speed boats to
undertake search and rescue, close coast patrol and respond to
emergency calls whenever required, the Ministry said.
Entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the
maritime interests of the country, the CG also ensures safety
and protection of offshore assets such as oil rigs, platforms
and terminals within India`s maritime zones.
Bureau Report
