- Extended 275-metre jetty boosts berthing capacity, logistics and mission readiness along India’s sensitive western seaboard
- Modern maritime infrastructure to enable faster deployment for EEZ patrols, coastal security, anti-smuggling operations and emergency response
- Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar also reviews critical refit of frontline Coast Guard vessels at Pipavav to accelerate operational preparedness
- Infrastructure expansion underscores India’s growing focus on maritime security, Blue Economy and safeguarding vital sea lanes in the Arabian Sea
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
PORBANDAR, JULY 2
Strengthening India’s maritime shield along the strategically vital Gujarat coastline, Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (North-West), on Thursday inaugurated the extended Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Jetty at Porbandar, a key infrastructure upgrade that is set to significantly enhance operational readiness, surveillance capability and rapid response along the country’s western seaboard.
The expansion has increased the jetty’s length from 175 metres to 275 metres, substantially improving berthing capacity, logistics support and maintenance efficiency for Coast Guard ships operating in one of India’s most strategically sensitive maritime zones.
The upgraded facility will allow simultaneous berthing of additional Coast Guard vessels, enabling faster turnaround and sustained deployment for maritime surveillance, coastal security operations, search and rescue missions, pollution response and maritime contingencies across the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and areas close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Located on Gujarat’s coastline overlooking the Arabian Sea, Porbandar remains one of the Indian Coast Guard’s most critical operational hubs, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding maritime trade routes, protecting offshore assets, combating smuggling and ensuring the safety of fishermen and merchant mariners.
The project was completed through coordinated efforts involving the Gujarat Maritime Board, IIT Madras and the Military Engineer Services (MES), whose technical collaboration has transformed a crucial operational requirement into a state-of-the-art maritime asset.
The enhanced infrastructure is expected to strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to maintain a continuous security presence in the North-West maritime sector, improve operational endurance and respond swiftly to emerging security and humanitarian challenges along the Gujarat coast.
Following the inauguration, Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar reviewed the ongoing refit of Coast Guard vessels at M/s SDHIL, Pipavav, assessing progress on critical maintenance works aimed at ensuring fleet availability.
He undertook a detailed walk-through onboard ICGS Samudra Pavak and ICGS Aryaman, followed by a high-level review meeting with Coast Guard officers and shipyard stakeholders.
During the interaction, officials deliberated on issues affecting timely completion of the refits and discussed measures to expedite ongoing work so that the vessels could return to active operational service at the earliest.
The twin initiatives—modernising shore infrastructure at Porbandar and accelerating fleet readiness at Pipavav—underscore the Indian Coast Guard’s sustained emphasis on strengthening India’s maritime security architecture amid increasing strategic activity in the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean Region.
