Network of Radars to monitor India's coastline: Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony has said that all efforts are being made to secure the country’s vast coastline with a network of Radars. Addressing the 30th Annual Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on Tuesday he informed that 36 such radars will be installed in the mainland in the first phase that would be completed by 2012. Coast Guard might be the youngest of the Forces under the Defence Ministry, he said that it is the fastest growing force.The Minister said, on the infrastructure front, the establishment of District Headquarters at Kavaratti and commissioning of three stations at Minicoy, Ratnagiri and Mundra has taken place since last year. The total number of Coast Guard stations now stands at 31. There are plans to establish Regional Headquarters (North-East), along with a station at Kolkata. Three more stations at Dahanu, Androth and Krishnapatnam are planned to be established soon. On the aviation front, Mr. Antony said there is a need to establish more air stations and air enclaves on a priority basis. He added that 156 boats are being built at various shipyards, both public and private, while the Coast Guard will get 12 more Donier aircrafts soon.