Port Blair, Aug 11: Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (A&N) conducted its 15th District/ Station Commanders’ Conference and Works Conference on 10 and 11 Aug 23, at Port Blair. The conference brought together all District/ Station Commanders and senior ICG officers of the A&N Region to discuss and strategize key operational and administrative matters.
During the conference, intensive discussions were held on a wide range of topics, including infrastructure development projects being undertaken across the A&N islands. The conference emphasized on fine tuning collaborative efforts with other stakeholders for countering maritime threats such as human trafficking, smuggling and illegal fishing. The senior officers and District Commanders also discussed measures to address marine pollution, focussing on developing an inclusive and rapid response to oil spills in the sensitive ecosystem of A&N Islands. Recognizing the importance of coastal communities in maritime security, discussions centered on fostering greater awareness and cooperation through Community Interaction Programmes to integrate fishing communities in coastal security mechanism were also held. Role of the ICG during disaster response & mass rescue operations, with strategies for improving the organization's preparedness and efficiency in handling such crises was also discussed during the conference. The conference concluded with a forward-looking perspective, charting a roadmap for the Indian Coast Guard's future endeavours in A&N Region.
Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N) in his closing address emphasized on proactive efforts to achieve KRAs and underpinned importance of regular training and synergy with all stake holders. The Regional Commander also lauded the professional achievements of personnel from the A&N Region. The Flag Officer reiterated the Indian Coast Guard's unwavering commitment in ensuring “Safer Lives, Safer Coast and Safer Seas”.
The District/ Station Commanders’ and Works Conference-23 served as a platform for strategic planning, knowledge sharing and reaffirming the organization's dedication to safeguarding the nation's maritime frontiers. The outcomes of the conference will contribute significantly to enhancing the operational capabilities and efficacy of Indian Coast Guard operations in the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands in years to come.