Minister of State for Defense Shri Ajay Bhatt inaugurated Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Vadinar Jetty on March 01, 2024, which is a significant step towards infrastructure development in the strategically important Indian Coast Guard area (North-West) . This jetty has been constructed by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) at a cost of Rs 74 crore. The Minister of State for Defense appreciated the role played by the ICG in protecting national maritime interests in its areas of responsibility.
On this occasion, he said that the possibility of infiltration of anti-national elements into Indian territory is a threat to national security and economy. This could have a potential impact on energy security in the Gulf of Kutch region, a major hub of crude oil. It is through here that 74 percent of India's crude oil passes through Vadinar and Kandla. This makes this area strategically important and thereby making 24-hour surveillance mandatory. Vadinar Jetty has enhanced the operational capability of the Indian Coast Guard.
He said that this Vadinar Jetty constructed by the Indian Coast Guard will further enhance the geo-strategic importance of this area. He further said that these jetties will provide stopover facility to Indian Coast Guard ships during operational visits to other Coast Guard stations deployed in the Exclusive Economic Zone and International Maritime Boundary Line. This will enable the Coast Guard to operate in all weather conditions and deploy ships during emergencies to enhance coastal security operations and deployment along the International Maritime Boundary Line. He said that apart from this, this jetty can provide decking and berthing facilities to the ships of the Indian Navy.