Rajnath Singh inaugurated state-of-art ICG MRCC building in Chennai.

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SHYAM SOOD

==Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated RMPRC in Chennai & CGAE in Puducherry.
==These facilities will ensure robust maritime security & provide efficient responses to emergencies: Rajnath Singh

RAJOURI/DELHI AUGUST 18:–Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (August 18) here in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) inaugurated the newly constructed state-of-the-art Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building (MRCC).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the senior officers of Ministry of Defence (MoD), ICG & Armed Forces, dignitaries from State governments, and guests from friendly countries attended the event.
Rajnath Singh also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC) at the Chennai Port premises, and the Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE) in Puducherry.
“The buildings have been established to ensure robust maritime security and provide efficient responses to emergencies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection,” said MoD.
MRCC state-of-the-art facility aims to significantly enhance the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations for mariners & fishermen in distress at sea.
“The Centre is installed with latest equipment for distress monitoring through terrestrial & satellite systems and equipped with advanced communication systems for real-time management of alerts by highly-trained personnel of ICG specialising in Search & Rescue procedures, with the rescue aircraft, ships and other facilities” MoD said.
RMPRC is also a first-of-its-kind facility for coordinating response against marine pollution, particularly oil and chemical pollution, in waters adjoining the coastal states in the Indian Ocean Region.
“The creation of RMPRC was announced by Rajnath Singh during the maiden Indo-ASEAN meeting held in Cambodia on November 22, 2022 & the setting-up of this centre was spearheaded by Coast Guard Regional Headquarters East at its premises within Chennai Port,” said MoD.
RMPRC has an Emergency Response Centre which will be manned 24×7 by ICG personnel to monitor marine oil pollution incidents. The Centre will also impart training in Pollution response techniques to various organisations such as Ports, Oil Handling agencies, Government organisations and private participants.
It will also train personnel from friendly countries in combating oil pollution at sea. The practical training will involve actual deployment of various oil handling equipment for maximum exposure to real time oil spill scenarios.
“Coast Guard Air Enclave facility will play a vital role in maritime security along the Puducherry and south Tamil Nadu coast. This facility will be equipped with Chetak and Advanced Light Helicopter Squadrons. Both these helicopters are indigenously built and capable of undertaking maritime patrol, Search & Rescue and other such missions both from land as well as from Coast Guard ships patrolling at sea,” MoD added.