In an effort to increase the efficiency of coastal surveillance, the Indian Coast Guard plans to set up a chain of 30 radar stations along the east coast of the country including Tamil Nadu.
Inspector General S.P. Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), said that it had been planned to install 67 radar stations along east and west coast of the country. As many as 30 stations would be located in different places of eastern coast from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu to Paradip in Orissa. While 11 radar stations would be set up in Andaman & Nicobar, the Lakshaweep would have 4 stations.
Mr. Sharma said setting up of a radar station at Tuticorin had already been started. Some equipment had been set up. A light house was identified to position the surveillance equipment, which would have connectivity to the Coast Guard Station at Mandapam and regional headquarters at Chennai and New Delhi. He added that it will have optical camera for physical picture of the area and the movements. The highly sophisticated night vision cameras and radars could pick up objects in long ranges. The functioning of the station would be activated in a year's time.
The Hindu : Today's Paper / NATIONAL : 30 radar stations planned along east coast
