INDIA. Mumbai: On Tuesday, ICG Director General Virender Singh Pathania dedicated the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) first-ever jetty in Fort Kochi in Kerala, a southern Indian state.
The event was attended by senior officials from the ICG, Indian Navy, Cochin Port Trust, Military Engineering Service, delegations from Central/State agencies, and other stakeholders.
The Cochin Port Trust built a jetty in the port that is 220 metres long and 15 metres wide, with a depth of 7 metres. According to an official statement issued here, this would allow for the rapid deployment of ICG.
To protect Indian marine interests, the ICG must be present at Kochi Port, which is strategically placed. It is one of India’s major southern ports, and the Coast Guard District Headquarters No.4 is located there (Kerala and Mahe district of the Puducherry Union Territory). It is crucial in ensuring safety and security in Kerala’s maritime areas and the Lakshadweep Islands.
ICG has increased its assets as Kochi has become a significant hub for maritime activities. Kochi is now home to 04 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), 03 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), 02 Interceptor Boats (IBS), and 02 Auxiliary Barges.
ICG Director General VS Pathania addressed the crowd, praising the efforts of the Cochin Port Trust and Commander Coast Guard District Headquarters No.4 (Kerala & Mahe) in constructing the ICG jetty, which will facilitate smooth ICG operations in the marine areas of Kerala and the Lakshadweep Islands.
The ICG has established a considerable presence along the Indian coastline and is a major domestic security and maritime law enforcement player.
The ICG is a multi-mission organization that conducts year-round real-world maritime activities. Despite its diminutive size, it possesses a wide range of surface and air operations mission capabilities.
The organisation is led by the Director-General, ICG, based in New Delhi and exercises overall command and supervision. He is supported at headquarters by four Deputy Director Generals, each with the rank of Inspector General, and other senior officials in charge of other staff departments.
The Maritime Zones of India are separated into five Coast Guard regions: North-West, West, East, North-East, and Andaman and Nicobar, with Regional Headquarters in Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Port Blair, respectively, for effective command and control. Officers with the rank of Inspector General command the Coast Regions.
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