Coast Gaurd Aerial Enclave for housing choppers to be set up in Visakhapatnam

To help in housing more choppers, the Coast Gaurd is planning to set up an air enclave in Visakhapatnam as Airport Authority of India (AAI) grants land. Additional Director General, VSR Murthy, said that the planning of the air enclave is in an advanced stage.

Though the idea was pitched in 2009, a proper plan has been not setup. Murthy mentioned that the decision would be taken in regards to the importance of the air enclave. ” AAI agreed to give five-acres land adjacent to the airport. Plans are in advance stage. There is no objection from the Vizag Port as well,” he said.

The air enclave can accommodate multiple choppers. As of now, Visakhapatnam has only one chopper. Arial Surveillance could be conducted by the detachment of Dorniers. Murthy said, “Visakhapatnam has 2.01 million sq km of an exclusive economic zone in the sea and 7,600 km coastline across the nation. It is difficult to keep 24/7 surveillance along the coast. So, to meet the requirements, we are planning to increase aerial surveillance.” The government of Andhra Pradesh has also agreed to provide land for setting up a Coast Gaurd Station in Machilipatnam, planned by Coast Gaurd.

The Coast Gaurd has set up 46 radar stations in the first phase of the coastal surveillance network. Another 38 stations would be set up, including 6 at AP Coast.

“The number of coastguard stations in total before 2008 Mumbai attacks used to be 20. After the attacks, another 20 coastguard stations have been set up. Likewise, Ships and Aircrafts also doubled.  Now, we have five regional headquarters as against three. On any given day, around 30 to 35 CG ships are on surveillance duties and 10 to 15 choppers are involved in sorties,” Murthy said.

Also, ‘Rani Rashmoni’, a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), has been commissioned into the Indian Coast Gaurd(ICG) from Visakhapatnam on Monday.

Credits: Times of India