The Coast Guard Region (North East) headquarters in Kolkata hosted its annual District/Station Commanders' and Works Conference on 10–11 July, bringing together senior officers to assess operational readiness and the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects, officials said. The two-day conference was chaired by Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan, Commander of Coast Guard Region (North East).

Key Discussions at the Conference

The conference drew district and station commanders, headquarters staff, works officers, representatives from Military Engineer Services, and personnel from subordinate units. According to officials, deliberations spanned operational preparedness, maritime and coastal security, surveillance, search and rescue, pollution response, inter-agency coordination, training, logistics, personnel welfare, and resource management.

'The conference comprehensively reviewed the operational, administrative and infrastructure related activities of the region,' an official said. A dedicated Works session examined the progress of ongoing construction and maintenance projects, budget utilisation, and measures to ensure quality and safety standards in project execution.

Area of Responsibility and Key Assets

The Coast Guard Region (North East) is responsible for the coastlines of West Bengal and Odisha. It operates shore stations at Haldia and Fraserganj in West Bengal and at Paradip in Odisha. Two air enclaves — at Kolkata and Bhubaneswar — support Dornier aircraft and helicopters deployed for surveillance and search-and-rescue missions.

The region oversees major ports including Paradip, Dhamra, Haldia, and Kolkata, as well as numerous fishing harbours that collectively see thousands of fishermen heading out to sea daily. Monitoring their movement is critical both for safety and to prevent inadvertent crossings of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The Coast Guard also maintains watch for piracy, smuggling, and poaching in these waters.

Infrastructure and Green Building Push

The Works conference reviewed the execution of future projects and placed particular emphasis on achieving higher energy efficiency through green building measures — a growing priority across defence infrastructure. Officials indicated that timely project completion and quality control were flagged as areas requiring sustained attention.

Operational Roadmap and Way Forward

In his address, Inspector General Chauhan underscored the need to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness and professionalism to meet emerging maritime security challenges. He stressed strengthening coordination among Coast Guard formations and with stakeholder agencies, promoting innovation, and ensuring timely implementation of developmental initiatives.

The conference also served as a platform for sharing best practices, reviewing lessons learnt from recent operations and exercises, and finalising the roadmap for the forthcoming operational cycle. It concluded with a reaffirmation of the Indian Coast Guard's commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests through sustained operational excellence and effective coordination with all maritime stakeholders.