Date:11/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111159270300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Coast Guard for enclave at airport

Staff Reporter

Vice-Admiral inaugurates new administrative complex for the force

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

sentinels OF THE SEA: Vice-Admiral R. F. Contractor, Director General of Coast Guard, reviewing the guard of honour at the force’s station in the city on Monday.

Kochi: The Indian Coast Guard is in talks with the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) at Nedumbassery to acquire land for starting operations from here. “The process of acquiring land has just begun,” said Coast Guard Director General Vice-Admiral R. F. Contractor while speaking to the media here on Monday.

“The Indian Navy is already operating from here and we should have our enclave coming up here shortly,” he said.

Security situation

The squadron here currently operates two Dorniers and is likely to receive two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv soon.

Vice-Admiral Contractor, who arrive at the district headquarters of the Coast Guard to inaugurate the new administrative complex with a maritime rescue sub centre (MRSC) and a communication station, said unlike the olden times when threat was defined, the security situation around the globe had become very delicate demanding readiness on the part of the security forces against any untoward happening.

Regarding pollution due to oil spill, which is an issue addressed by the Coast Guard, Mr Contractor said continuous efforts had resulted in seven out of 12 major ports in the country developing the capability to fight oil spill up to 700 tonnes (tier 1 capability) and the rest would achieve it by the year-end.