VASCO: Governor Mridula Sinha on Wednesday said that coastal security has emerged as a critical area of concern in the overall national security scenario, which should receive deep concern, serious dialogue and constant and focused surveillance and attention.
The Governor was speaking after commissioning three Coast Guard ships, ICGS Amartya, Amal and C-410, at the Coast Guard berth at MPT harbour on Wednesday. While ICGS Amal and C-410 will be based in Goa, ICG Amartya will be based at Mangalore. With the commissioning of two ships Amal and C-410, Coast Guard at Goa will now have three patrolling vessels at its disposal to use during calamity at sea.
Speaking further, the Governor said India has a long coastline of about 7,500 kms, which needs to be vigilantly guarded, protected and saved from any intrusion, interference and attack on vital installations on the shore.
“The Coast Guard units and men are actively engaged in providing 24×7 security in our vast Exclusive Economic Zone. Their role in undertaking various missions such as search and rescue, anti-poaching operations, rendering assistance to mariners and fisher folk in distress, medical evacuation and marine environment protection has been remarkable and well recognized among international and national maritime fraternity,” said the Governor.
“Apart from Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard shoulders a heavy responsibility. We should have technologically advanced logistics and well-trained intelligent and ever-vigilant manpower to protect our coastal areas,” she added.
“We cannot at any cost allow and tolerate incidents like the Mumbai terrorist attack,” she said and appealed to the Indian Coast Guard to discharge their duties and responsibilities in the best interest of national security and unity.
“Tourism industry in Goa is growing at a fast pace. With asymmetric threat ever looming large, security of tourists should be our prime concern,” she added.
IGP of Indian Coast Guard S P S Basra stated that the maritime security scenario around us demands manifold increase in surveillance for safety and security of maritime assets.
“The Indian Coast Guard is designed and conceptualised for guarding maritime interest of the nation and carries out
arduous task in coordination with various stakeholders,” Basra added.
