Nod for Coast Guard to set up air enclave in Vizag

: The Coast Guard headquartershas received final sanction from the Ministry of Defence for setting up of a Coast Guard air enclave here.

The sanction was for the construction of hangars, apron and link taxi track on the land belonging to the Airport Authority of India (AAI), a press release from the Coast Guard said Wednesday.

The construction process would commence as soon as land take-over formalities are completed between AAI and Coast Guard.

Presently, one pollution control vessel (PCV), two off-shore patrol vessel (OPV), four fast patrol vessel (FPV) andone Chetak helicopter are based here to ensure pollution control, coastal security and search and rescue operations in the region, the release said. With the establishment of the air enclave, the air assets of force would be augmented toensure enhanced surveillance, sea-air coordinated operations, safety of fishermen at sea and coastal security set-up.

In course of time, Coast Guard is planning to position Dhruv helicopters and Dornier aircraft here to increase its security dimension in view of the increasing economic activity in the Bay of Bengal, the release added.