The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Wednesday activated a Coast Guard Air Enclave at the Bhubaneswar airport for supporting air operations to aircraft, which provide security cover in areas adjoining the coast of Odisha and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The air enclave was activated by Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Priti Mohanty in the presence of ICG Inspector General KC Pande, Regional Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East) and other senior officials.
The activation of the air enclave is part of the ongoing expansion plan of the ICG to strengthen and modernise its infrastructure to support operations which include the recent commissioning of ICGS Gopalpur.
As part of the ICG's development plan, an offshore patrol vessel has been based at Paradip and two interceptor craft are joining the fleet in near future with an aim to ensure enhanced operational capability and effective presence in the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha
The air enclave would provide support to the recently-inducted coastguard surveillance Dornier aircraft manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. The Dornier aircraft is equipped with advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipments. The aircraft can be configured into various roles such as pollution response, search and rescue, maritime reconnaissance and armament for meeting coastguard charter of duties including coastal security.
The Coast Guard has identified Odisha as an important maritime State with a long coastline and rich maritime traditions and history of such trade with South-East Asia, Priti Mohanty said.
"To further this tradition, we are developing ports like Dhamra and Gopalpur in accordance with the Government's 'look East'
policy," she said, adding that Odisha has the potential of becoming one of the most important trade destinations on the country's east coast.