In a bid to strengthen coastal and maritime security, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra was deployed at the Coast Guard District Headquarters-7 at the ParadipPort on Thursday.
The ship would keep vigil on the Odisha and West Bengal coasts and observe the coastal activities besides controlling the district headquarters, Coast Guard sources said. The 74-meter-long vessel has the facility of helicopter landing pad. The ship contains 300-MM guns and other modern arms and ammunitions. At least 34 jawans and a commanding officer would provide service round the clock in the ship, the sources added.
The ship would not only be used for coastal security but it can also be used in relief work during natural disasters, Coast Guard officials said. "We use to bring such a big ship from Visakhapatnam or Chennai during any rescue operation. Now, our response time would be lessened as we can use our own ship during disasters," Coast Guard (North East) IG Commander KC Pandey said.
Paradip Port Deputy Conservator Gauri Prasad Biswal said the port's three Single Point Moorings (SPMs) would now be more secure due to the service of Vajra.