Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane inaugurated the Hovercraft Maintenance Unit (HMU) at Okha , during his two days visit at Indian Coast Guard ‘s facilities in the North West Region. HMU was inaugurated on 28 th March whereas Coast Guard OTM and Married Accommodation at Inaz Village Veraval was inaugurated by his wife Gayatri Aramane on 29 March 2024.
According to a press release , the Defence Secretary was also briefed about the upcoming 200 meter ICG Jetty Construction work at Okha. Shri Armane appreciated the role played by the Coast Guard, in safeguarding national maritime interests in its area of responsibility.
The hovercrafts are based at Okha and Jakhau for maintaining surveillance in 50 Islands in the Area of Responsibility (AoR), Gulf of Kutch, in the shallow water and marshy terrain along the coast of Gujarat. The field facility for HMU will enable timely technical support, upkeep & maintenance of these hovercrafts which in turn will ensure optimum operational availability and keep them in ever ready state to meet any operational requirement.HMU facilities comprise of ACV parking for technical assistance, Office Building, Workshop and Maintenance Area.
The Coast Guard Residential Area (CGRA) at Inaz Village Veraval includes 60 Accommodations for married personnel , an all-weather Helipad, living Accommodations for Subordinate Officers & Naviks, a Parade Ground, and a Mess.
“The presence of a helipad adds a strategic advantage to various operations in Veraval that includes addressing maritime emergencies, search & rescue missions, and surveillance activities,” said the statement.
ICG Regional Headquarters (North West) was established on 16 Dec 2009 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. It executes ICG’s mandated charter in maritime zones in Gujarat, Daman & Diu.
In addition to the recently inaugurated Jetty at Vadinar, ICG is also constructing a 100 meter jetty extension at Porbandar and 125 meter jetty at Mundra in addition to the 200 meter jetty at Okha. These events were witnessed by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General AK Harbola who is the Commander of Coast Guard ‘s North West Region, along with various dignitaries of Central and State Government.
