Kolkata; January 30, 2024

Radar stations of the Indian Coast Guard is going to be doubled from four in the North East (NE) region, covering West Bengal and Odisha in next eight months to strengthen surveillance along shores of the Bay of Bengal. The four additional radar stations, which are in the pipeline, will come up at Frazerganj in South 24 Parganas and Junput in East Midnapore in West Bengal and Chandrabhaga and Arkhakuda in Odisha, this was stated by Coast Guard Commander, Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan today. Interacting with the media at Haldia Hovercraft Station, the IG siad, “Work has almost ended at Frazerganj and is nearing completion in Junput. It is underway at Chandrabhaga and Arkhakuda. We are trying to complete the construction of the four by August this year which is the deadline.”
Fitted with cameras and sensors, these radar stations will help the ICG in monitoring the ship movement and search and rescue operation apart from providing security arrangements. The Coast Guard already has radar stations at Haldia in Purba Medinipur district and Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district. 

A total of 36 new radar stations are being established across the country, of which some are already functional, he said, adding the new installations will add to the existing 46 radar stations in the country, he said.
Established in 1977 with just 7 surface ships, the ICG now owns an inventory of 158 ships and 78 aircraft in its fleet. ICG is now considered to be one of renowned Coast Guards in the world. It enjoys very cordial and good relationship with the neighbouring countries.
Highlighting the achievements and activities undertaken in the year 2023, the IG mentioned that several operations have been undertaken in the North East Region under different circumstances. The IGC has saved 200 lives in the last one year under the Maritime Search and Rescue operations. It has saved over 11,554 lives since inception. To ensure security in the Maritime Zones of India, the Indian Coast Guard has maintained 24 x 7 vigil by deploying about 50 to 60 ships and 10 to 12 aircraft daily, Shri Chauhan added. He stated that the Coast Guard has also been working with the agency to save the turtles and it has succeeded in saving lakhs of olive ridley turtles in the coastal areas. 
He further mentioned that under anti-smuggling operations, the ICG has succeeded in seizure of weapons, contraband and narcotics worth Rs. 15,343 crores since inception with Rs. 478 crore worth seizure during the last year.
ICG has been pioneering in inducting indigenous assets in line with “Make in India” and “AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ABHIYAN” missions and has inducted several indigenous ships, aircraft and equipment during recent years. Further, 21 ships are under construction at 03 shipyards including 02 Pollution Control Vessels which will be our frontline ships for combating marine pollution in our AoR. 16 ALH MK-III  aircraft have been inducted into ICG. Further, contract towards procurement of 02 additional Dornier aircraft has been concluded and contract for 09 Advanced Light helicopters is likely to be finalized soon. 

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MSA…

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