Chennai, June 25: Two coast guard stations, including one in Pondicherry, would be set up on the east coast by 2007 and three more stations, including one at Nagapattinam, would come up in the second phase under the Coast Guard Development Plan, commander of coast guard region (east) Commodore R S Vasan said today. Inaugurating a three-day conference of the coast guard district commanders here, Vasan said the coast guard has maintained continuous vigil on the Palk bay to prevent intrusion of Sri Lankan fishermen in the Indian waters,

About 60 boats and 363 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka in Palk bay, an official release quoting Vasan said, adding 124 foreign fishermen including 24 from Sri Lanka were apprehended during this year.

Besides, the coast guard has rescued about 50 crew members belonging to three ships in distress off east coast in the last 45 days. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Chennai, has provided assistance to 19 fishing boats and five merchant vessels during this year.

The conference, which will review the current situation, deployment of resources and men, and finalise future plans, is being attended by coast guard commanders from West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, besides commanding officers of coast guard ships and air squadrons.

Bureau Report