Coastguard to boost its air-capability, plans air stations in Thoothkudi, Pondicherry

Chennai:

The Indian Coastguard is planning to spruce up its air capability by planning to build two air stations in Thoothkudi, southern part of Tamil Nadu, and Pondicherry besides placing an order for 12 aircraft with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, according to Costguard Commander S P Sharma (Eastern Region).

Sharma told reporters after delivering an inaugural address on National Objectives- Strategic Imperatives in the Far East, organised by National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter and Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Madras Univerity here on Friday, that the state government has agreed to provide 50 acres of land adjoining the present airport at Thoothkudi to build the air station besides negotiations are in final stage in Pondicherry.

“Now Tamil Nadu will have largest coast guard air stations including the one prevalent in Chennai. We are also using the Naval air station in Ramanathapuram during emergency,” he added.

Coastguard is also planning to decommission six ships by end of this month or early next month. They include CGS Avaiyar, CGS Haba-Khatun, CGS Rani Jindan, CGS Vikram, CGS Chandbibi and CGS Ramadevi. “Temporarily, the strength will come down from 28 to 22 but then we will have a full fleet by December 2012 as every three months ships will be rolling out,” Sharma added.

Currently, there are 152 ships under construction in various yards. “We have placed an order of 35 ships with Larsen and Tourbo which will be building the ships at Hazira and Katpuli near Chennai. The ships will have high speed engine and a capable speed of 40 knots and can be used for interdiction and interception, he added.

Meanwhile, another 200 miles have been added to Eastern Command’s jusrisdiction last month after the boundary of Eastern command was extended up to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, including Gulf of Mannar, thus bringing the port of Colachel into its domain.

“This is due to the incident of pollution and grounding of ship in the region in March-April this year. “There was a confusion then over the jurisdiction as district collector of Colachel approached us. Later, the safety operations was conducted by the Western Command,” he added.