The
Indian Coast Guard organization is headed by the
Director General (DG ICG) who is located at Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ),
New Delhi. At CGHQ, he is assisted by four Deputy Director Generals of the rank
of Inspector General, and other senior officers heading various staff
divisions.
The ICG as of now is headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice
Admiral on deputation to the Coast Guard as a direct entry Coast Guard Officer
is yet to reach the age/service to become equivalent to Vice Admiral as it is
the youngest of all the all Armed Forces started in the 70's. For effective
command and control, the Maritime Zones of India are divided into five Coast
Guard Regions, namely, North-West, West, East, North-East and Andaman &
Nicobar, with the respective Regional Headquarters located at Gandhinagar,
Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair.
![Indian Coast Guard Organization Structure Indian Coast Guard Organization Structure](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYzpdlyc_DLcWKsgcFktS0sjn7YMDRT8FoL5hjj58CU1v0BdBoeLjSZTKoBEedkkvnp3QlhvWGN_YQi5H17xRjtP8bcDiKZFh0V6bLKN_DEUqdUoU2LLOU-GFL8maqQj99Uub-A8o0GA/s640/ICG+structure.jpg)
The Coast Guard Regions are commanded by Officers of the rank of
Inspector General. The regions are further divided into twelve Coast Guard
‘Districts’, one each for the nine coastal states on the mainland, two in the
Andaman ad Nicobar Region, and one at Kavaratti in the Lakshadweep and
Minicoy Islands. Each Coast Guard
District comprises of one or more Coast Guard Stations. In addition, there are Coast Guard Air
Stations (CGAS) and Air Enclaves (CGAE) for air operations from various
locations along the coastline.
- North-West Region: The Regional Headquarters (North-West) at
Gandhinagar exclusively covers the strategically important maritime state of
Gujarat. The state has its District
Headquarters at Porbandar. This
District, commissioned in 1984, is supported by stations at Veraval, Mundra,
Okha and Jakhau. Dornier aircraft and
Advanced Light Helicopters operating from Porandar, provide air-support to this
region.
- Western Region: Apart from Gujarat, the rest of the western
seaboard is the responsibility of the Regional Headquarters (West) at
Mumbai. In this region, the Maharashtra
coast is a major hub of economic activity. The area is also sensitive due to location of
off-shore oil platforms, and nuclear energy establishments. Fishing activities in this area extend beyond
the traditional fishing grounds, which increased the scope of ICG
operations. Maharashtra has its District
Headquarters at Mumbai, and is supported by a helicopter squadron. The District Headquarters at Goa was
commissioned in 1994. It is home to the
first helicopter squadron the Coast Guard (CGAS 800). The State of Karnataka has its District
Headquarters at New Mangalore. This
Headquarters, commissioned in 1990, is engaged in regulating maritime
activities along the Karnataka coast.
Kerala has its District Headquarters at Kochi, and the Lakshadweep is
monitored and administered by the District Headquarters at Kavaratti. It is
close to the Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) followed by a large number of
oil tankers, and is therefore a high risk area in terms of oil pollution. Air support is provided by Dornier aircraft
based at Kochi.
- North-East Region: The Regional Headquarters (North-East) is
located at Kolkata. The entire coast line from Sunderbans to Gopalpur comes
under the jurisdiction of the Commander, Region (North-East). There are two
District Headquarers, situated at Haldia and Paradip respectively, besides CG
Station and one Air Station. Dornier and Helicopter are operated from CGAE,
Kolkata for air support to this Region.
- Eastern Region: The Regional Headquarters (East) is located
at Chennai. The entire coast line from Puvar to Ichchapuram comes under the
jurisdiction of the Commander, Region (East). There are two District
Headquarters (Chennai & Visakhapatnam), six Coast Guard Stations
(Tuticorin, Mandapam, Puducheri, Kakinada, Chennai and Visakhapatnam), one Air
Station and one Air Enclave on the eastern seaboard of India.
- Andaman and Nicobar Region: The Regional Headquarters
(Andaman & Nicobar) is located at Port Blair. District Headquarters No.9 at
Diglipur & District Headquarters No.10 at Campbell Bay functions under
RHQ(A&N). Smaller stations include Hutbay, Mayabander and Kamorta. There is
an air enclave also existing at Port Blair to provide air cover to this Region.
By the end of 2012, the Indian Coast Guard is on track to
operate:
- 42 Coast Guard Stations
- 5 Coast Guard Air Stations
- 10 Coast Guard Air Enclaves
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Tashi Mishra, Editorial Team
She is a defense aspirant from Varanasi completed her BCA. She has attended SSB Interview at 1 AFSB Dehradoon and has more SSB coming up. She is confident about joining Defence Forces one day. Here, she is sharing her views and experience.
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