ICGS Gopalpur commissioned

Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS) Gopalpur, the second Coast Guard Station in Odisha after Paradip, was commissioned by the Chief Secretary of Odisha, Bijaya Kumar Patnaik, in the presence of Lt General V.K. Saxena, Commandant, Air Defence College, Gopalpur; Inspector General K.C. Pande, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (NE), officials from the Odisha state and district administration, senior officers from the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

The station is a part of the ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen maritime and coastal security. The assets based at Gopalpur will help augment patrolling along the south Odisha coast for safeguarding Indian maritime interests.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary lauded the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard in maintaining a high state of vigil off the Odisha coast, saving precious human lives during search and rescue (SAR) operations and aiding the state administration during cyclones, floods and other natural calamities. He also praised the key role played by the service in the protection and preservation of maritime environment and endangered species.

The Commander Coast Guard Region, North East, in his address during the commissioning ceremony, stressed the need for maintaining continuous vigil of this strategically important maritime state. He further stated that the Coast Guard had initiated several far-reaching measures to augment force levels and manpower to meet existing and future maritime challenges.

Coast Guard Station Gopalpur will function under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (NE), Kolkata, through the Commander Coast Guard District Headquarter-7 located at Paradip. Commandant Ramendra Rajkamal has been appointed as the Commanding Officer of the station.