Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt Inaugurates ICG Jetty at Vadinaar, Dwaraka (Gujarat)
New Delhi. Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Jetty Vadinar on March 1, marking a significant step towards augmenting infrastructure development in the strategically important Indian Coast Guard Region (North-West). The jetty construction was undertaken by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) as a deposit work at a cost of Rs. 74 Crores. Mr Ajay Bhatt lauded the role played by the ICG, in safeguarding national maritime interests in its areas of responsibility.
Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Defence said that the possibility of infiltration of anti-national elements into Indian territory poses a threat to national security and the economy, with potential implications for energy security in the Gulf of Kutch region, a major hub for crude oil coming through which 74% of India’s crude oil passes via Vadinar and Kandla. This makes the area strategically important and requires 24×7 surveillance. The Vadinar Jetty has enhanced the operational capability of the Indian Coast Guard.
He further said that Vadinar jetty built by ICJ will further add to the geo-strategic significance of the region. He further said that the jetty would provide berthing facilities to Indian Coast Guard ships during operational visits to other Coast Guard stations deployed in the Exclusive Economic Zone and International Maritime Boundary Line. It would enable ICG to operate in all weather conditions and deploy ships during emergency to enhance coastal security operations and deployment along the International Maritime Boundary Line. In addition, this jetty can provide decking and berthing facilities to Indian Navy ships, he said.
ICG Headquarters is situated at New Delhi. The Director General Indian Coast Guard exercises Command and Control of the Organisation through 5 ICG Regional Headquarters located at Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Portblair to discharge various mandated tasks including that of Maritime security and safety, surveillance in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and assistance to mariners and fisher folks in distress in Indian Search & Rescue Region(ISRR).ICG Regional Headquarters (North West) was established on 16 Dec 2009 at Gandhinagar. It executes ICG’s mandated charter in maritime zones of Gujarat, Daman & Diu. Gujarat state has a coastline of 1215 Km, which is one sixth of the total coastline of the country and shares notional International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) with Pakistan.
