Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets 'outstanding' Indian Coast Guard on 46th Raising Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his greetings to the Indian Coast Guard on their Raising DayBest wishes to the Indian Coast Guard family on their Raising Day An organisation of great strategic importance our Coast Guard is an outstanding team of professionals who steadfastly secure our coasts and also are at the forefront of humanitarian efforts tweeted PM ModiIndian Coast Guard ICG is celebrating its 46th Raising Day on TuesdayFrom just seven surface platforms in 1978 the ICG has grown into a formidable force with 158 ships and 70 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025 stated a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on MondayAs the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world it has played a significant role in securing the Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in the maritime zones of India said the releaseThe ICG has saved over 1200 lives at sea in the last year and more than 11000 since its inception It has also rescued approximately 13000 personnel to date during various Aid to Civil Authority operations viz assistance provided to civil authorities during floods cyclones and other natural calamities most recently during the recent floods in Maharashtra Karnataka and GoaAs per the release despite the restrictions imposed due to the Covid19 pandemic the ICG maintains roundtheclock vigil in the Exclusive Economic Zone by deploying about 50 ships and 12 aircraft dailyOne of the primary duties of the Indian Coast Guard is the prevention of smuggling through maritime routes in its area of responsibility In the last one year it has seized drugs and contraband worth nearly Rs 4000 crore Around Rs 12000 crore of drugs and contraband have been seized by the ICG since its inceptionAccording to the release the ICG has so far apprehended more than 13000 crew and over 1500 boats involved in illegal activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone 40 foreign crew and seven boats were apprehended by the ICG in 2021 It is also collaborating with littoral countries to combat transnational maritime crimes and enhance maritime safety in its area of responsibility and in the Indian Ocean RegionIn line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of SAGAR Security and Growth for all in the Region amp Neighbourhood First the Indian Coast Guard has nurtured professional relationships across oceans and established ties with countries in the Indian Ocean Region for Ocean PeacekeepingThe ICG has successfully averted major ecological disasters and emerged as the First Responder in the region by undertaking major firefighting and pollution response operations off the Sri Lanka coast the most recent being Sagar AarakshaII onboard Chemical carrier MV XPress Pearl the release addedThe Indian Coast Guard also conducted a National Maritime Search amp Rescue Board meeting to harmonise the maritime and civil aviation search amp rescue SAR mechanism It is also working in close coordination with Central and State agencies to put in place a robust coastal security mechanism The ICGs reach was demonstrated during the flag hoisting on 100 inhabited and uninhabited farflung islands as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration on August 15 2021The ICG has been a pioneer in inducting indigenous assets which have enabled it to remain operationally active and responsive throughout the year Despite the Covid19 pandemic it has added five newgeneration ships and eight Advanced Light Helicopters to its fleet in the last one year which are fine examples of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India envisioned by the Prime MinisterThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever