Kolkata; January 31, 2023

Indian Coast Guard Day will be celebrated tomorrow on February 1, 2023 to mark the 47th raising day of India’s maritime Armed Force, the Indian Coast Guard. ICG was established by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 on February 1, 1977. This day is celebrated to highlight the great achievements of the Coast Guard.

Interacting with the media persons, Inspector General, Iqbal Singh Chauhan, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) said here today that Indian Coast Guard Day is celebrated to remember and honour the efforts of the Coast Guards that work for the maritime security of the nation. Established in 1977 with just 7 surface ships, now it has an inventory of 158 ships and 78 aircraft in its fleet. Now, the Indian Coast Guard has grown into the world’s fourth-biggest Coast Guard. The Coast Guard enjoy very cordial and good relationship with the neighbouring countries.

Highlighting the achievements and activities undertaken in the year 2022, the IG mentioned that several operations have been undertaken in the North East Region under different circumstances. The IGC has saved around 596 lives in the last one year under the Maritime Search and Rescue operations. No single life has been lost for the last 2 years, he added. Shri Chauhan stated that the Coast Guard has also been working with the agency to save the turtles and it has succeeded in saving lakhs of turtles in the coastal areas of Odisha. It has also been working for saving endanger species in Odisha beaches, he added. During natural calamities like Flood, and Cyclones, ICG has provided aid to civil authorities and evacuated uncountable persons to safe locations, he added.

He further mentioned that under anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations during last year, around 78 poachers were apprehended and drugs worth more than Rs. 3,000 crores were seized. Most of the seizers were taken place in the coastal areas of Gujarat. The ICG has also apprehended around more than 3500 foreign national who were indulging in illegal activities, he added.

Talking about the Government’s initiatives of Make in India, the IG said that most of the Coast Guard ships are indigenously built. 6 ships have been commissioned this year and around 21 ships are still under process of constructions, he added.  

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MSA…