Def Secy visits ICG facilities in North West Region

Ahmedabad: Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane visited the Indian Coast Guard facilities in the North West Region on March 28-29, 2024. During the visit, he inaugurated the infrastructure for Hovercraft Maintenance Unit (HMU) at Okha on 28 Mar 24. Coast Guard OTM and Married Accommodation at Inaz Village Veraval was inaugurated by Mrs Gayatri Aramane on March 29, 2024.

Defence Secretary was also briefed about the upcoming 200 mtr ICG Jetty Construction work at Okha. Defence Secretary appreciated the role played by ICG, in safeguarding national maritime interests in its area of responsibility.

The hovercrafts are based at Okha and Jakhau for maintaining surveillance in 50 Islands in the Area of Responsibility (AoR), Gulf of Kutch, in the shallow water and marshy terrain along the coast line of Gujarat. The field facility for HMU will enable timely technical support, upkeep & maintenance of these hovercrafts which in turn will ensure optimum operational availability and keep them in ever ready state to meet any operational requirement. HMU facilities comprise of ACV parking for technical assistance, Office Building, Workshop and Maintenance Area.

The Coast Guard Residential Area (CGRA) at Inaz village Veraval includes 60 Nos of Married Accommodations, an all Weather Helipad (75x75 mtrs), In-living Accommodation for Subordinate Officers & Naviks, Parade Ground and Mess. The presence of helipad adds a strategic advantage to various operations in Veraval that includes addressing maritime emergencies, search & rescue missions and surveillance activities.

ICG Regional Headquarters (North West) was established on 16 Dec 2009 at Gandhinagar. It executes ICG’s mandated charter in maritime zones in Gujarat, Daman & Diu. Gujarat state shares notional IMBL with Pakistan.

The ICG is focused towards development of berthing and other infrastructure which underscores, the commitment of the Govt. of India for equipping ICG with facilities for operating advanced surface and air platforms. In addition to the recently inaugurated Jetty at Vadinar, ICG is also constructing 100 mtr jetty extension at Porbandar and 125 mtr jetty at Mundrain addition to the 200 mtr jetty at Okha.

These events were witnessed by Director General Rakesh Pal, the Director General Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General AK Harbola, the Commander Coast Guard Region (NW) alongwith various dignitaries of Central and State Govt.

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