Coast guard, navy to lease AAI land for surveillance units

The government Monday approved leasing of land owned by the state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) to the coast guard and navy for establishing surveillance facilities.

The cabinet which met here said that owing to the illegal activities along the coast line, surveillance facilities are being developed by the coast guard which require land at various locations.

According to a statement issued by the cabinet, four locations where identified for lease transfer of land to the coast guard and one facility was cited where the land will be leased to the navy.

The cabinet listed land banks at Juhu and other facilities of the AAI at Vizag, Tuticorin and Porbandar.

"The leasing of the requisite land at proposed airports will facilitate the coast guard to establish various facilities for better surveillance of coast line," the statement said.

"Further, it can accrue some revenue for unutilized land of AAI."