Establishing hover port is top priority, says Coast Guard Chief

Developing sea capabilities will give a fillip to maritime security

Deputy Inspector General Suresh Chand Tyagi, the new chief of the Puducherry district headquarters of Indian Coast Guard, on Monday said ramping up sea capability by establishing a hover port at Veerampattinam would be high among his priorities to provide a new thrust to maritime security in the region.

“We hold over three acres of land at the sea front which we would like to use for developing our sea capabilities,” Mr. Tyagi said.

Mr. Tyagi, who called on Chief Secretary Manoj Parida, also sought Government cooperation on expediting proposals for making available land to establish the Coast Guard’s operational base as well as an air enclave.

The Puducherry facility of Indian Coast Guard had been upgraded to Indian Coast Guard District Head Quarters No. 13 last year. It is envisaged as a hub for coastal security through coordinated surveillance, pollution check and search and rescue response operations.

However, the unit, with jurisdiction over the coastal districts of Puducherry, Karaikal, Cuddalore and Villupuram, is functioning on rented premises.

A lion’s share of the 20 acres of land allotted by the Puducherry government and purchased by the Coast Guard in Veerampattinam in 2006 was reassigned for tsunami rehabilitation. At present, about 28 acres in Karuvadikuppam has been earmarked for the Coast Guard.

“We understand the urgency on the part of the Coast Guard and we will work through the modalities of handing over the land expeditiously,” Mr. Manoj Parida said.

Air enclave

The Coast Guard’s other proposal is to develop an air enclave on the land which adjoins the Puducherry airport. “Eventually, where we locate our maritime headquarters depends on the piece of land that is made available to us,” said Mr. Tyagi.

The new Commandant also plans a higher level of engagement with the fishermen population in the region to promote best practices in the fishing community. The Coast Guard is already working with the MSSRF Foundation towards this goal.

“The central idea is to offer safety at sea and facilitate a better catch,” said Mr. Tyagi.