Article Posted on : - Nov 04, 2009

A file photo of Karwar coast.

NEW DELHI (PTI): To strengthen security along the Karnataka coast in the backdrop of last year's Mumbai attacks, the government will open a new Coast Guard (CG) station at Karwar on Wednesday and arm it with speed boats to counter terror threats.

CG Director General Vice Admiral Anil Chopra will commission the new station that is being established based on the security assessment undertaken by the government for strengthening maritime security on the western coast, the Defence Ministry said here on Tuesday.

The station will function under the operational command of CG West Region Commander Inspector General S P S Basra and it would have Commandant (Junior Grade) Anil Sharma as its Commanding Officer.

The government has already planned to establish 14 more CG stations to cover all states and Union Territories along the country's 7,500-km long coastline to address the security gap, apart from the Karwar station, in the next few years.

Karwar CG station would operate two fast speed boats to undertake search and rescue, close coast patrol and respond to emergency calls whenever required, the Ministry said.

Entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the maritime interests of the country, the CG also ensures safety and protection of offshore assets such as oil rigs, platforms and terminals within India's maritime zones.