As Indian Coast Guard enters its 40th year of existence on February 1, what is the present surface fleet, air fleet and manpower strengthIJ How will it grow in the next 10 yearsIJ
It is indeed an honour for me to be at the helm of this fine service when the Indian Coast Guard marches into the fortieth year of glorious service to the Nation. The service at present has in its inventory 126 surface platforms (62 ships & 64 ACVs/ boats) and 62 aircraft (39 Dorniers/ 19 Chetak). In addition, ICG has also established a Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) as part of the 'Chain of Static Sensors' project for augmentation of coastal surveillance capabilities which is a force multiplier. The Implementation of Phase-I has been completed at 46 sites as part of Phase-I and 38 new Radar Stations are planned as part of phase II.
By the end of 2020, the ICG is expected to have a fleet of 150 surface platforms and 100 aircraft.
Will this growth be commensurate with the additional responsibilities that you have been entrusted with over the years, particularly after 26/11IJ What has changed for the Coast Guard in terms of its responsibilities since 26/11IJ
The Coast Guard Act, 1978 clearly spells out the charter of duties and the ICG has been meeting them with utmost dedication. Prior to 26/11, ICG role was limited to anti-smuggling, anti-poaching operations and benign operations like Search & Rescue and Response to Marine Pollution. Post 26/11, the Government gave great impetus to maritime security in general and to coastal security in particular. The ICG was then entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating Coastal Security with all stakeholders.
By the end of 2020, the ICG is likely to have a force level of 150 surface platforms and about 100 aircraft. In addition, the number of shore units have been increased to 27 to 45 since 26/11. These inductions are planned and manifested through "CG Perspective Plan" and "CG Development Plan" spread over 15 year and 05 year periods respectively.
What mechanism do you have in place so that the ICG can provide urgent assistance to the fishermen in Indian maritime zonesIJ What is the progress on the plan of installing Distress Alert Transponders (DAT) on all fishing vesselsIJ
Assistance to fishermen is one of the primary charters of ICG. Towards discharging this charter, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) at Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair are manned 24x7 to respond to any incidents / accidents at sea involving shipping and fishing traffic in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR). A toll free help line number 1554 has been established for Maritime Search and Rescue. A toll free coastal security help line number 1093 is also operational at police control rooms in coastal states for real time reporting of suspicious activities in coastal waters.
You are the first regular Coast Guard officer to take over the mantle of DGICG and going to complete a year in office. What are the key initiatives/ achievements in the last one yearIJ
I had the honour of assuming the helm of this fine service on 29th February 2016. Our aim has been and continues to be, commitment to our goal of providing safer lives, safer coasts and safer seas. Considering the current security scenario, we have laid emphasis on provisioning of a robust Coastal Security mechanism to thwart any nefarious designs. The focus is to cohesively involve all the state and central stakeholders through conduct of regular exercises to achieve seamless synergy during a real time scenario. To meet this objectives, we have stressed on the need to modernize the force and infrastructure of the service. In the last one year, contracts for 10 ships (05 FPVs and 05 OPVs) have been signed. 72 vessels are under construction at various Indian shipyards. In consonance with the 'Make in India' initiative, we promote Indian industry by having all our ships indigenously built and maintained. This has effectively reduced our dependence on imports thereby reducing the downtime of our assets and savings to the government exchequer. Infrastructure development has been our focus and cases for augmentation are in progress.
What would you like to say to encourage the youth to join the ICGIJ What are the growth prospectsIJ
The ICG from its humble beginning has grown into 126 ships, 62 Aircraft organization which is now the 4th largest Coast Guard in the world. The career at sea is challenging, adventurous and provides opportunity to travel around the globe. ICG is a young, vibrant and growing service which provides excellent growth prospects. In addition to the salary, various perks like free medical facility, canteen facility, leave travel concessions, priority admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas and various professional institutes for wards of personnel. The service also provides opportunity for personnel to upgrade their professional skills by deputing them for specialization courses in India and abroad. Opportunities also exist for deserving personnel to be sent on deputation to few select foreign countries.
In order to entice the youth to join the force, the Govt of India has approved free boarding and lodging facility and reimbursement of to and fro travelling expenses once to the candidates appearing for Final Selection Board for the post of Assistant Commandant in Coast Guard.
I would personally exhort the youth who love challenges, adventure and those who believe in striving for excellence to come and join the Indian Coast Guard.
What is the intake of women officers in the ICG and what kind of roles have been encouragedIJ
The women officers are being inducted in the General duty, law and the Aviation cadre. At present there are 130 women officers. The general intake is about 10 women officers every year. Short service appointees in the General duty cadre and the CPl entry have also been introduced in the service. The women officers of the general Duty cadre are employed in the shore establishments and the headquarters for administrative and logistics duties and those in the aviation are sent to aviation units for flying duties.