Coast Guard has
identified areas where maritime activity is increasing and coastline
is vulnerable. Coast Guard has a plan to set up ten new Coast
Guard Stations. Five Coast Guard Stations are proposed to be
set up in Phase – I during the 2002-2007 Plan period and the
remaining five Coast Guard Stations in Phase-II during the 2007-2012
plan period. These Coast Guard Stations will be located at Ratnagiri
(Maharastra), Beypore (Kerala), Kavaratti (Lakshwadweep Islands),
Pondichery, Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), Vadinar (Gujarat), Jafrabad
or Pipavav (Gujarat), Gopalpur (Orissa), Kamorta (Andaman &
Nicobar Group of Islands) and Bhatkal/Malpe (Karnataka).
Funds allocated
in the annual budget of Coast Guard during last three years
are as follows:- (Rs in crore)
|
Year
|
Capital
|
Revenue
|
Total
|
|
2000-2001
|
185.84
|
229.16
|
415.00
|
|
2001-2002
|
235.00
|
251.00
|
486.00
|
|
2002-2003
|
241.74
|
269.51
|
511.25
|
The steps taken
to strengthen patrolling are (i) one additional Advance Offshore
Patrol Vessel has been positioned in Chennai, (ii) Two Hovercrafts
are based at Mandapam for patrolling Palk Bay /Gulf of Mannar,
(iii) Dornier squadron activated at Kochi, (iv) Coast Guard
Stations at Vizhinjam activated and one Interceptor Boat (IB)
positioned (v) One additional offshore patrol vessel positioned
at Kochi and (vi) one fast patrol vessel is being positioned
at Kochi by April 2003
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a
written reply to Shri PD Elangovan in Lok Sabha today.
NEW COAST GUARD STATIONS