Gujarat dedicates India's first Coast Guard traffic circle in Gandhinagar
Synopsis
Gujarat has done something no Indian state has done before — named a public traffic circle after the Indian Coast Guard. The 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle' in Gandhinagar, complete with an OPV, a Dornier aircraft, and an ALH, is a rare civic acknowledgment of a force that guards 7,500-plus kilometres of coastline largely out of public view.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat became the first Indian state to dedicate a public traffic circle to the Indian Coast Guard on 17 June 2025 .
The circle in Gandhinagar , renamed 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle' , marks the force's 50th anniversary .
Inaugurated by Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi alongside Inspector General Tekur Sashi Kumar and senior officials.
The installation features an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) , a Dornier aircraft , an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) , personnel statues, and a digital wall .
The circle is the first public civic infrastructure in India formally dedicated to the Coast Guard.
Gujarat has made history by becoming the first state in India to dedicate a public traffic circle to the Indian Coast Guard, with the inauguration of the 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle' in Gandhinagar on 17 June 2025. The landmark marks the maritime force's 50th anniversary and replaces the formerly known CHH-4B Circle, renamed by the state government in recognition of five decades of meritorious service.
Inauguration and Key Figures
The circle was inaugurated by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, in the presence of Inspector General Tekur Sashi Kumar, TM, Commander, Indian Coast Guard Region (North West). Senior state government officials, Coast Guard veterans, serving officers, and enrolled personnel attended the ceremony.
'The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the Indian Coast Guard and the state. It is the first public circle in the country to be dedicated to the Indian Coast Guard,' officials said.
Design and Installations
The 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle' has been purpose-built to reflect the operational capabilities and ethos of the Indian Coast Guard. At its centre stands a full representation of an Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), symbolising deterrence, maritime dominance, and the protection of Gujarat's coastline and maritime borders.
The installation also features a Dornier aircraft and an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), underscoring the force's air surveillance expertise and rapid-response capability. Statues of Coast Guard personnel have been erected to embody the force's constant vigilance, while a digital wall provides a continuous display of Coast Guard activities and operations for public awareness.
What the Circle Represents
Officials said the exhibit is intended to promote public awareness of the service while reinforcing that the Indian Coast Guard remains 'ever vigilant at sea 24×7×365, guarding the nation's maritime interests without pause.' The state government described the inauguration as reflecting an inclusive approach towards recognising forces that protect India's maritime frontiers.
Notably, this is the first time any Indian state has formally dedicated a piece of public civic infrastructure to the Coast Guard — a force that, despite operating across 7,516 kilometres of India's coastline, has historically received less public recognition than the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
Significance and Broader Impact
The circle is expected to serve as a permanent source of public awareness and inspiration, highlighting the Indian Coast Guard's role in coastal security, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, and nation-building. Officials noted that the landmark is intended to promote a deeper sense of pride and understanding among citizens about the force's contribution to safeguarding India's maritime interests.
This comes amid heightened focus on India's maritime security architecture, particularly along the western coastline that Gujarat anchors. With the Coast Guard entering its golden jubilee year, the Gandhinagar circle stands as both a tribute and a civic statement about the force's expanding public profile.
Point of View
But it signals something more substantive: a deliberate effort to embed maritime consciousness into everyday civic life. India's Coast Guard operates across one of the world's longest coastlines yet remains far less visible in public imagination than the three armed services. Gujarat — itself home to a vast and strategically sensitive coastline — is making a pointed statement by anchoring that recognition in a capital-city landmark. The question is whether this remains a one-state gesture or whether it prompts other coastal states to follow. Public awareness of the Coast Guard's role in anti-smuggling, search-and-rescue, and environmental protection is chronically low; a circle with a digital wall is a modest but real corrective.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle' in Gandhinagar?
It is India's first public traffic circle dedicated to the Indian Coast Guard, inaugurated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 17 June 2025 to mark the force's 50th anniversary. The circle was formerly known as CHH-4B Circle and was renamed by the Gujarat state government.
Who inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard circle in Gandhinagar?
The circle was inaugurated by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, in the presence of Inspector General Tekur Sashi Kumar, Commander of the Indian Coast Guard Region (North West), along with senior state officials and Coast Guard veterans.
What installations are featured at the Bharatiya Tatrakshak Swarn Jayanti Circle?
The circle features a representation of an Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) at its centre, along with a Dornier aircraft, an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), statues of Coast Guard personnel, and a digital wall displaying Coast Guard activities and operations.
Why is this circle historically significant?
It is the first public traffic circle in India to be dedicated to the Indian Coast Guard, making Gujarat the first state to offer this form of civic recognition to the maritime force. The move is seen as a milestone in raising public awareness of the Coast Guard's role in coastal security and maritime protection.
What is the Indian Coast Guard's 50th anniversary about?
The Indian Coast Guard was established in 1977 and is marking its golden jubilee — 50 years of service — in 2025. The force is responsible for coastal security, anti-smuggling operations, search-and-rescue missions, and environmental protection across India's approximately 7,516-kilometre coastline.
