India to open two new coastal security centres
By IANSWednesday, December 22, 2010
NEW DELHI - India will open two new coast guard establishments in the Arabian sea Friday to bolster coastal security in the wake of increasing incidents of piracy.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony will inaugurate the new establishments during his visit to the Lakshadweep islands, a defence spokesperson said Wednesday.
An increase in the incidents of piracy has been noticed near the Lakshadweep islands in recent times and the new security formations will bolster coastal security in the archipelago of 36 islands with a total area of about 32 square km, the spokesperson said.
“Increasing incidents of piracy very near to Lakshadweep in recent times have added a whole new dimension to threat perception in the region. The Lakshadweep group of islands are also vulnerable to marine pollution as two of the world’s busiest Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) are abounding it,” he said.
The Lakshwadeep islands are located between 200 and 400 km away from the Kerala coast and are directly ruled by the central government.
The two establishments are - Indian Coast Guard District Head Quarters-12 at Kavaratti and the Coast Guard Station at Minicoy islands.
The Headquarters at Kavaratti will facilitate closer coordination among Indian Coast Guard, civil administration of the union territory and other maritime stakeholders on matters concerning maritime interest.
“It will be instrumental in executing quick decisions for fast developing situations at sea,” the official said.
Only 11 of the 36 islands are inhabited in the archipelago where territorial waters are about 20,000 sq km and the Exclusive Economic Zone extends to 400,000 sq km.
