Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 4: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized 179 boats and arrested 1,683 individuals for illegal entry into Indian waters over the last decade, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

In a written reply to MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti, the Minister stated that the seized vessels were involved in activities such as poaching, narcotics smuggling, and illegal immigration.

He added that a toll-free number 1554 has been launched to report any sea-related emergencies, further strengthening coastal vigilance.

Highlighting the surveillance infrastructure, Seth said that the ICG maintains daily deployments of 18–20 ships, 30–35 crafts, and 10–12 aircraft. Additionally, the force has conducted over 3 lakh boarding operations, 153 coastal security exercises, 451 operations, 458 drills, and 3,645 joint coastal patrol sorties in the last 10 years.

The ICG also operates through a Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) using Remote Operating Stations (ROS) and Centres (ROCs) to monitor maritime activities. A total of Rs 12,201 cr has been spent on acquiring ships and aircraft, while Rs 1,583.8 cr has been utilised for the CSN initiative across India.

Efforts have also been made to improve coordination through the promulgation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coastal states and Union Territories, ensuring defined responsibilities for all stakeholders in security and response management.

The MoS further noted that the ICG actively engages with fishing communities through regular Community Interaction Programmes and that States have created fishermen watch groups to help report suspicious activity near the coast.

He reiterated that the ICG remains committed to enforcing maritime law and ensuring a rule-based order at sea, including in the strategically important Offshore Development Areas and around the island territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.