The Coastal Security Group (CSG) has proposed to establish a jetty for its interceptor boats here in the district to augment peacetime rescue and relief operations. The proposed jetty is to be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore within a year.
In the midst of his recce for a suitable area for jetty here in Tharangambadi, Vedaranyam and Kodiakkarai, C.Sylendra Babu, Additional Director General of Police, spoke to The Hindu of the need for an appropriate space to host its interceptor boats. Currently, the boats were anchored in Chennai and elsewhere, rendering difficult quick induction for search and rescue operations.
“We are looking for an appropriate jetty to accommodate our interceptor boats for peacetime operations. Last year, the CSG had deputed interceptor boats for over 180 search and rescue and an exclusive anchorage space for the CSG here along the coast would aid in such operations,” the ADGP said.
However, the interceptor boats would continue to be spaced out varying on the availability of anchorage space. “CSG shares space with existing Port facilities in Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. In the absence of similar space in Nagapattinam, an appropriate jetty is required here,” Dr.Sylendra Babu said. The Coastal Security Group has two categories of boats with displacement capacity of 12 tonne and 5 tonne respectively.
The CSG has roped in the expertise of IIT-Madras in scouting for area and conduct of accompanying appraisals on soil, depth and water. Coastal Security Group has been in force since 2005 to augment maritime security with jurisdictional range up to 12 nautical miles from the lowest coastline and five nautical miles for boat patrol from the coast.
Currently functioning with the infrastructure of 12 marine police stations, there has for long been a proposal to induct 30 more marine police stations to bolster coastal security. Manohar, Superintendent of Police, CSG, Chandrashekar, Professor, IIT-Madras, were part of the scouting CSG team.
