By Vishwas Dass
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: Indian Coast Guard’s director general (DG) vice admiral Anurag G Thapliyal Monday said the Coast Guard would intensify maritime surveillance in the Coastal parts of Orissa in view of the upcoming Nabakalebar festival in Puri to nullify any possible terror attack.
Thapliyal was addressing the media after unveiling the Coast Guard’s new air enclave and 743 Squadron at Biju Patnaik International Airport premises here Monday. The 743 squadron is equipped with two Dornier surveillance aircraft sporting sophisticated surveillance system, sensors, weapons and communication equipment on-board.
The director general said based intelligence agencies’ inputs, maritime surveillance would be bolstered during Nabakalebar and all efforts would be put in place by the government to ensure terror-free festival. It is expected that over 40 lakh pilgrims would throng the holy city next year to pay their obeisance to Lord Jagannath.
The air enclave was earlier made functional April 10, 2013 at the city airport with minimum required infrastructure and since then it has been engaged in undertaking air surveillance in Orissa.
Thapliyal also said the new unit in Bhubaneswar can now strengthen surveillance as it has been given two Dornier aircraft permanently. “Over the last 1.5 years since activation of this unit, Dornier aircraft from Kolkata base were carrying out surveillance off the Orissa coast on rotational basis but now as aircraft are stationed permanently, quick action can be taken anytime,” he said.
He claimed that commissioning of 16 twin-engine light helicopters and 14 heavy helicopters was under process which is likely to be completed within two years.
“Against the current fleet of 105 ships and 64 aircraft, we are contemplating to have 150 ships and 100 aircraft by 2018-19 to bolster Sea-Air surveillance in the coastal parts of the country,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, inspector general (commander north east region) VSR Murthy said the Coast Guard, during the last two years, has commissioned three stations in Kolkata, Gopalpur and Frazerganj which have been transformed into forward operating base for hovercrafts.
“The maritime surveillance off Orissa Coast will be further enhanced with the basing of one more inshore patrol vessel (IPV) ‘Amogh’ at Paradip in January 2015,” he added.
Construction of a hangar with office space spread across two acres of land at Bhimpur is in progress and is likely to be completed by March 2016.
