INDIA. Mumbai: Inspector General Manoj Vasant Baadkar, Commander, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) West Region (West), visited Karnataka to take stock of naval development projects and also called on Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan in Bangalore on Monday.
An ICG statement here said that he was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Aruni Baadkar, President, Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association (CGWWA), West and Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka, Deputy Inspector General PK Mishra, an ICG statement here said.
During the meeting, various topics like the plans to build a robust mechanism for search and rescue of fishermen at sea, the compliance of safety guidelines for fishermen prior to venturing into the sea and the proposed state-of-the-art ICG Academy project at Kanjer village in Mangalore were discussed.
The efficacy of ICG in ensuring coastal security, as well as the role of maritime search and rescue coordinator and the charter of duties, were also discussed in the meeting.
The Commander reassured ICG’s commitments towards protecting and preserving the national maritime interest in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
The Governor was also briefed on various welfare activities carried out by the CCWWA, West to maintain the morale and spirit of Coast personnel’s families and children.
During his visit, Baadkar took stock of the operational readiness of Coast Guard assets and reviewed the progress of infrastructure development.
He also interacted with local dignitaries and stakeholders, including fishing association leaders and fishing boat owners, of all three coastal districts of Karnataka.
The Coast Guard Commander also interacted with the media on board ICGS Varaha. “If everything goes as per plan, the proposed ICG Academy project in Mangalore is likely to be ready within the next two years, after a detailed project is prepared,” he told media persons.”
“The Karnataka government has completed the acquisition of 159 acres for the academy. The detailed project report is being prepared by consultant M/s AECOM, “he added.
“Training is the most important part of any organisation. Once we have our own academy, we can devise tailor-made and specialised programmes required for the Coast Guard. Currently, Coast Guard staff are provided basic training at the Naval Academy, and most of the training is given at the Army and Navy centres”, said Baadkar.
He further added that, “the proposed academy at Mangalore can accommodate four Dornier aircraft. At present, an air enclave is being set up at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) to station Coast Guard Dornier aircraft. The ICG is also looking for drones to carry out surveillance.”
Baadkar, earlier in 2006-2008, was head of the ICG, Karnataka, and at present he is responsible for ICG operations in the western region covering Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Lakshdweep Islands.
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