Navy dedicates INS Makar to nation

Radars to tighten security in the country’s coastal region will be installed all along the eastern and the western coasts and on the islands under the Coastal Radar Chain, said Chief of Western Naval Command, Vice-Admiral Shekar Sinha.

He was speaking to mediapersons after dedicating survey vessel INS Makar to the country, at the Kadamba Naval Base here on Friday.

The radars have already been installed in the coastal regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and in some parts of Karnataka, Sinha said. A separate control room will be set up to monitor the radars after they are installed across the country’s coastline.

The radars will initially help identify ships. Later, the place of origin of the ship and its motive could be ascertained, he said.

It is proved that terrorists are entering the country through sea. Hence, an automatic identification system will be launched in the coastal areas, he said. The coastal states have been urged to collect details of people coming in boats for work for security reasons.
Lauding Tamil Nadu, Sinha said the State had gone a step ahead and introduced a ‘token’ system for fishing boats.

Patrolling has been increased in the sea and as a result piracy has reduced, Sinha said adding that the Navy, the Coast Guard and other security forces were jointly patrolling the waters.