Port Blair, Nov 8: Indian Coast Guard Station Kamorta, the second Coast Guard station in the Nicobar group of Islands was commissioned by the Air Marshal PK Roy AVSM, VM, VSM, ADC, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, in the presence of Inspector General VSR Murthy, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N) and other officials from the local administration and Andaman & Nicobar Command on 07 Nov 13. The naming ceremony and unveiling of Ceremonial Lifebuoy was performed by Mrs. Ranjna Roy, President Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA). The station’s bell was rung in by the Rani of Nancowry, Mrs Fatima to usher in good fortune to the newly commissioned station.
The station is a part of ongoing efforts by the Indian Coast Guard to strengthen the Maritime and Coastal Security of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ICGS Kamorta will coordinate and undertake operations towards ensuring immediate response to any distress situation, medical emergency at sea, anti-poaching operations and respond to any threat to the fragile marine environment of Nicobar Islands. The Station will also cater to the requirement of operational turnaround (OTR) for CG ship deployed in Southern Group of Islands.
In his welcome address, IG Murthy, highlighted that the Indian Coast Guard, with 89 ships and 62 aircraft, is the Fifth largest among the Coast Guards of the World. By 2018, the Coast Guard will have 150 ships and 100 aircraft in its inventory. He added that the CG assets, both ships and aircraft will be augmented in the region through basing of an additional OPV, basing of light and heavy helicopters at Port Blair and an Interceptor Boat at Campbell Bay by Oct 2014.
Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal PK Roy AVSM, VM, VSM, ADC the CINCAN lauded the efforts of Indian Coast Guard in maintaining a high state of vigil in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands resulting in apprehension of a large number of poachers and saving of precious human lives during SAR operations. He further said that the implementation of the Coastal Surveillance Network project would be a major milestone in ensuring maritime domain awareness, through Radar Surveillance of these Islands. He also stressed the need for maintaining continuous vigil of this strategically important archipelago.
He further stated that the Indian Coast Guard had initiated several far-reaching measures to augment Coastal Security Mechanism, especially through conduct of special Community Interaction Programme and exclusive briefings at key stake-holders venue in order to ensure complete synergy among all Stake-holders.
The Coast Guard Station Kamorta will function under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N) through the Commander Coast Guard District Headquarter-10 located at Campbell Bay. Commandant Ajay Kumar Mudgal is the Commanding Officer of the newly commissioned station.
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