Kolkata, 09 November (H.S.) : Two new Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) have been inducted at the Indian Coast Guard base in Haldia, significantly boosting the force's surveillance and rapid response capabilities along the sensitive Sundarbans and coastal areas. These new vessels will replace older units that have been safeguarding the region for over two decades.

According to the Coast Guard, the two ACVs, designated as H-561 and H-562, arrived in Haldia on November 7 and will soon be officially commissioned into service. Manufactured by Goa-based Chowgule and Company Private Limited under the central government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, these vessels are equipped with high speeds and advanced surveillance capabilities.

The vehicles will be specifically deployed for maritime surveillance, coastal patrolling, and rapid response operations across the complex river networks, vast mudflats, and sensitive coastal zones of the Sundarbans. The induction of these new vessels marks a new phase following the distinguished service of the H-182 and H-186 vessels, which made a vital contribution to the security of the strategically important Sundarbans region for more than twenty years.

The new ACVs are expected to greatly improve the Coast Guard's operational efficiency in inaccessible coastal and riverine terrains and strengthen the protection of India's maritime interests on the eastern seaboard. This deployment further solidifies the role of the Coast Guard in maintaining coastal security and defending the maritime frontiers of the country.

On the marine research front, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched an indigenous ocean research vessel, Sagar Manthan, last September. Being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the 89.5-meter-long vessel will be utilized for geophysical and seismic surveys, multibeam surveys, and various scientific expeditions in coastal and deep waters up to a maximum depth of six kilometers.

During the launch ceremony of Sagar Manthan held at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, delivered a video message as the chief guest, while the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, was present as the guest of honour.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh