Port Blair, May 04: Inspector General VSR Murthy, PTM, TM, COMCG (A&N) will be relinquishing command on 05 May 14, after successful tenure of two years and three months. He assumed the charge on 09 Feb 12 as the 20th Commander of Coast Guard Region (A & N).
During his tenure, the Coast Guard achieved many milestones. Notable among them are the rescue of 197 precious lives at sea, including 32 during Cyclone “Lehar”, 10 medical evacuations, maiden seizure of arms & ammunition from a Stateless boat carrying five foreign crew, apprehension of 116 foreign poachers, apprehension/evacuation of 772 foreigners involved in human trafficking. The Coast Guard Search and Rescue efforts during cyclone “Lehar” were well appreciated by Hon’ble Lt Governor.
IG Murthy had accorded top priority for Coastal Security and during his tenure 04 Coastal Security Exercises ‘Tatsuraksha’ were efficiently conducted with excellent coordination with all stakeholders. In order to sensitise the local population, especially the fisher community, the Coast Guard conducted 214 community interaction programmes, even at remote places like Bompoka, Chowra, Katchal and Tarassa, under his directives. The COMCG’s proactive approach in conducting special briefings to key stakeholders at their venue and mass awareness campaign programmes resulted in overwhelming success of these Exercises and strengthening of the Coastal Security mechanism in the A&N Islands.
IG Murthy, being a visionary, had laid specific emphasis on capacity building and augmentation of Op infrastructure, as one of his key result areas. In the last two years, three Coast Guard Shore Units were commissioned i.e. Coast Guard Stations at Mayabunder, Kamorta and Coast Guard District Headquarters at Port Blair.
In addition, infrastructure development at all CG Stations gained tremendous momentum. At Port Blair, CGAE has been shifted to a new hangar provisioned by AAI and a new Ship Support Complex was commissioned to house most of the local shore units. A new CG District Complex at Diglipur has been constructed. The Construction of Married Accommodation and CG Officers’ Mess at Hut Bay has also begun and is expected to be completed by Jan 2016. At Campbell Bay, a new MI Room has been established and renewal of fuelling facility, which was damaged during Tsunami is almost nearing completion. The Coastal Security Network (CSN) Phase-I in A&N Islands received the requisite thrust with his personal involvement.
The Inspector General’s constant persuasion with CGHQ resulted in induction of 3rd Dornier aircraft, rebasing of two fast patrol boats and the state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Rajshree. Under his dynamic leadership, all the Refits of CG ships were completed ahead of time at Port Blair, overcoming technical and logistic challenges.
In order to improve quality of life, he also gave due impetus to augmentation of sports infrastructure facilities, such as creation of new basketball court, renovation of Indoor Sports Complex and gym at Port Blair and Stress management centre at Hut Bay.
Education being very close to his heart, IG Murthy took special interest in Coast Guard Schools at Campbell Bay and Port Blair. He contributed immensely towards the overall development and face lift of the Coast Guard Public School at Campbell Bay and commissioned a new Academic Block. Hon’ble LG has also applauded the efforts of Coast Guard in providing quality education at remote island and creating job opportunities to the locals.
The Flag Officer is an avid photographer, who secured 2nd position in the ITF Photo competition conducted by Tourism Dept of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration last year. He is also regular prize winner in the Annual Coast Guard Photographic Contest.
IG Murthy, a Gold medallist from Andhra University during his Post Graduation, is the topper of the 5th Batch of ICG officers. He is specialised in Search & Rescue (SAR) and Port Operations from US Coast Guard. He is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. The Flag Officer has had an illustrious career, which includes Command of all types of CG ships, Key Staff and Command appointments, including Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. All his Afloat Command had been with distinction, wherein ships under his command were bestowed with one or other Coast Guard Best Ship awards.
Mrs Jyoti Murthy has equally complemented the Flag Officer, and the Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association, under her able guidance, has carried out many women empowerment programmes, including vocational training and skill development, outreach activities to help the orphans and old-age people and also medical camps. She also provided many job opportunities and self earning programmes to the ladies of CG fraternity by conducting beautician, tailoring, computer and many other short courses. Special emphasis was given by her to improve the learning skills of CG children by organising Vedic Maths and special tuition classes.
IG VSR Murthy will be moving to Kolkata as the Commander Coast Guard Region (North East), with the area of responsibility of maritime region of West Bengal and Odisha.
