Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 19: In a proud moment for Mangalureans, the defence ministry has decided to establish India's first Coast Guard academy in the city.
This was announced by defence spokesperson (PRO), Bengaluru on Saturday September 19.
The PRO said in a tweet that around 158 acres Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land has been acquired for setting up the ICG Academy.
Represenational image
"India's first Coast Guard academy to come up at Mangaluru. 158 acres KIADB land taken over for setting up #ICGAcademy. A milestone towards professional maritime training to ICG officers & men & stakeholders," tweeted the defence PRO.
The academy was initially supposed to be set up at Azhikkal in Kannur, Kerala, and in May 2011, the then defence minister A K Antony had even laid the foundation stone for the project. However, the ministry of environment and forest refused clearance to the project as it came with CRZ-1 (A) area where no construction is allowed. As no progress was made until last year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her former capacity as defence minister, decided to move the project to Karnataka.
The new academy will provide professional training to Coast Guard personnel who deal with not only coastal security but also assist in search and rescue in times of need. As of now, the Coast Guard personnel are being trained in a small facility in Kochi, Kerala.