Cabinet nod to signing Indo-B'desh pact on navigation aids

The government today approved signing of an agreement with Bangladesh for greater cooperation with regard to marine aids to navigation that includes advice on lighthouses and beacons besides vessel traffic service.
"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) between the Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping, Government of India and the Department of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
The MoU envisages cooperation between Bangladesh and India for extending advice on lighthouses and beacons besides on vessel traffic service and chain of automatic identification system.

The pact will also cover training as per International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) training module to AtoN Managers and Technicians for Bangladesh.
The MoU will enable both the countries to collaborate in the areas that include providing advice on AtoNs, academic interaction by imparting training to AtoN personnel, and provide necessary cooperation in organising workshops/ conferences for enhancement of skills in AtoN field.
"The MoU will also help in greater cooperation in capacity building in the field of AtoN training in the South Asian region. This will give a boost to imparting training on the management of marine aids to navigation based on IALA Model Course E-141/1 and accordingly facilitate the delivery of a professional training course as per the IALA guidelines," the statement said.

India and Bangladesh are two important developing nations in the South Asian region. Both the countries maintain a long tradition of friendly and cordial relation which has been manifested in the several bilateral visits of dignitaries from both sides during recent years.

As per International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) requirement, authorities in various countries, provide appropriate Aids to Navigation in their waters as per international recommendations and guidelines.
"Marine aids to navigation such as lighthouses, beacons, DGPS, navigational and mooring buoys are operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of vessels and/or vessel traffic," the statement said.
DGLL establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in India, for safe navigation in Indian waters.

DGLL having expertise in lighthouse engineering and maintains large inventory of Aids to navigation which includes 193 lighthouses, 64 Racons, 22 Deep Sea lighted buoys, 23 DGPS stations, 01 Lightship, 04 tender vessels, National AlS Network, Vessel Traffic Service in Gulf of Kutch.