Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes has expressed the Government’s determination to protect the sea frontiers of the country and stressed the need to create more infrastructure for the Coast Guard.

While addressing the Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, Mr Fernandes said that the Group of Ministers (GoM) in its recommendations had said that guarding of the maritime borders should be given more emphasis. He said that all necessary steps would be taken to implement the recommendations in a time-bound manner. Ten more Coast Guard stations would be set up and work to start a station at Jakhau is underway to enable the Coast Guard to perform its functions efficiently, he added.

Mr Fernandes stressed the need for involving the state governments, particularly the coastal states of west and south, in the creation of facilities like Marine Police Force. This would be in the form of Coastal Police Stations with the police force appropriately trained and equipped for maritime functioning. The Coast Guard should interact with the State Marine Police for delivering the goods in an efficient way. He urged the chief ministers of all coastal states to associate themselves in the task of safeguarding the coastline. This will ensure co-ordination not merely in operations against and smuggling but in, sharing of intelligence also, he added.

Mr Fernandes assured the officers and personnel of the Coast Guard that all necessary welfare measures and facilities like added ration for the sailors would be taken care of immediately.

Lauding the work of the Coast Guard, the Defence Minister said that its antipiracy operations, particularly the recent restoration of pirated vessel MV Alondra Rainbow to its original owner, have earned good reputation in the international arena. He urged the officers and men to continue their work with the same zeal and dedication.