Giving a fresh impetus to coastal security measures across Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands, the Coast Guard is gearing up for a major upgradation of its facilities. Setting up of a bunch of radar stations with the existing lighthouses is one of the major initiatives.As part of the upgraded facilities, a number of radar stations would come up along the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands in a phased manner. It has been decided to set up radar facilities in some existing lighthouses across the country.

Initially, 46 radar stations will be set up across the country, four of which have been sanctioned for Kerala (at Mount Dilli in Ezhimala, Kochi, Kollam and Ponnani). Another would come up at Kanyakumari (TN). The Coast Guard District Headquarters 4 – the unit responsible for coastal security of Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep islands – has proposed four more radar stations at Kadaloor, Vizhinjam, Azheekkal and Alappuzha in Phase II. The proposals are based on a survey.

In the first phase, six radar stations will come up in Lakshadweep — at Kiltan, Androth, Agatti, Kalpeni, Minicoy and Suhielipar. Three more have been recommended for the islands — at Chetlet, Amini and Bitra.

It has been decided to set up EF frequency band radars across the country, to identify all vessels within a 30 miles range from the port. Each radar will have a transponder and would be AIS (Automatic Identification System)-compliant.The radar stations to be manned 24×7 will be networked as a chain that the feed from these network will come to the State Coastal Security Centre.

This kind of surveillance will not be possible with patrol ships and aircraft.Another major initiative is the Coast Guard training establishment to come up in the state. They plan to have an academy in the state. They have been trying to acquire a suitable land for the purpose in northern Kerala.Nine more coastal police stations have been sanctioned for the state. There will be more aircraft and vessels coming for our operations.