Bhubaneswar: August 31: Director General Rajendra Singh is on a day’s visit to Bhubaneswar. The visit is aimed at bolstering the coastal security mechanism with different stake holders in the state of Odisha. During the visit the Director General will take an overview of the operations undertaken by Coast Guard Air Enclave Bhubaneswar. The flag officer will also inaugurate multi mission maritime aircraft hanger (MMMA) at Coast Guard Air Enclave Bhubaneswar on 01 Sep 2017. At present the Coast Guard operates 02 Dornier aircrafts from Bhubaneswar. These aircrafts are regularly deployed extensively for EEZ patrolling, maritime surveillance, search and rescue and disaster management. These aircraft were recently deployed for air dropping food packets during the flash floods in Rayagada District of Odisha.
Recently the centre has approved 32,000 Crore plan for the Coast Guard that will give more teeth to the Coast Guard in maintaining round the clock vigil. Coast Guard aims to improve force level to 175 ships and 110 aircraft by 2022. The air arm of the Coast Guard is set to get a major boost in the days to come. Orders have been placed for 16 indigenous Dhruv MK –III Choppers to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Procurement of another 14 Air Bus twin engine EC725 tactical choppers is in the final stage of approval. A few of these choppers are likely to be based at Bhubaneswar in future.
The Additional Director General of Coast Guard Eastern Sea Board, ADG KC Pande and Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) Inspector General Kuldip Singh Sheoran shall also witness the inauguration ceremony of the MMMA hanger today.
