New Delhi — Continuing with the government’s efforts to bolster coastal security, the Defence Minister AK Antony is going on a day’s visit to Lakshadweep on Friday to open two Coast Guard establishments. The two establishments are Indian Coast Guard District Head Quarters-12 at Kavaratti and the Coast Guard Station at Minicoy.
A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said the Headquarters at Kavaratti will facilitate closer coordination among ICG, Union Territory officials and other maritime stakeholders on matters concerning maritime interest. It will be instrumental in executing quick decisions for fast developing situations at sea.
Located between 200 and 400 kilometres away from the Kerala coast, the Lakshadweep archipelago comprises 36 islands with a total area of about 32 square kilometres. Only 11 of these 36 islands are inhabited. The territorial waters are about 20,000 square kilometres and the Exclusive Economic Zone extends to 4 lakh square kilometres.
Increasing incidents of piracy very near to Lakshadweep in recent times have added a whole new dimension to threat perception in the region. The Lakshadweep group of islands are also vulnerable to marine pollution as two of the world’s busiest Sea lanes of Communication (SLOC) are abounding it. The Eight Degree Channel, which separates the Minicoy Island from the Maldives witnesses maritime traffic of as many as 30-40 ships a day.
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