Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 16: Two hovercraft ships operating in Mangaluru have been sent to guard the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat, according to Coastguard of West Zone Commander Manoj V Badkar.

After assuming charge as the commander of the West Zone, Manoj paid a visit to Mangaluru for the first time on Saturday and addressed the media persons in the Panambur's coast guard ship ICGS Varaha.

He said two hovercraft ships from Taneerubhavi have been sent to Gujarat. There is a more pressing need for them in Gujarat than in Mangaluru, he said. Presently, India has 18 hovercraft ships and once this number increases they might be brought to Mangaluru, he said.

Now, coast guard planes land at the old Mangaluru airport. He said aeroplane parking hangars are being built there and once completed four dornier aeroplanes can be parked and Mangaluru will then become a key air base.

Commander Manoj Badkar said he is a Kannadiga and he hailed from Karwar. In 2006, he was serving in the coast guard office of Mangaluru.

He said technology has advanced and the work process has changed between 2006 and now. More fishermen are getting support and merchant navy ships are also getting additional support, Badkar said.

Mangaluru will get the first coastguard training academy soon. All decks have been cleared including the land acquisition process for establishing the academy. Work on the detailed project report is yet to begin, Commander Badkar said. The Centre's approval for setting up the academy on a 159-acre plot is in progress. So far, naval academy training and some special sessions had to be taught overseas, he said.