‘Private ports are vulnerable’

Visakhapatnam, Dec. 3: The seas are turbulent these days. Terrorists creep into the country’s shores from it and pirates roam the waters looking for lonely ships. No wonder then that maritime security has suddenly climbed up to the top of the priority list of the Union government, especially after the Mumbai terror attacks.

The new situation has put added responsibility on the redoubtable Eastern Naval Command in Vizag. It is now beefing up the security in the Eastern Board by acquiring new ships and new air squadrons. The Navy is also coordinating with the local police, Port Trust and fisheries department to prevent intrusions through vulnerable fishing harbours.

"We want fishermen to be the frontline surveillance mechanism which could alert the Navy or Coast Guard," said Vice-Admiral Nirmal Verma, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. "Fishing boats should be provided with transponders so that enemy vessels could be detected with ease."

The Navy has also expressed strong objection to private ports employing untrained security personnel. This, the Navy feels, leaves private ports vulnerable. Vice-Admiral Verma said it was wrong on the part of the private ports to do this, especially in the wake of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai. "While all the major ports are protected by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a well-equipped and trained force, private ports are making use of untrained personnel," said Vice-Admiral Verma.

The Gangavaram Port, which is located few kilometres away from the sensitive Eastern Naval Command, has private security personnel, he points out."Since the private ports are governed by the state governments it would be apt if a maritime board is set up to address all issues, especially those relating to security," suggested the Vice-Admiral.

The Navy is a trustee of Visakhapatnam Port and participates in the security review meetings periodically to assess the situation and is ready to extend its services to other ports. To strengthen the maritime air surveillance in the Eastern sector, two new air squadrons would be commissioned at INS Dega. One would have fixed wing Dornier aircraft and the other would have UH3H helicopters.

"We would be focusing on the AP Coast as it is turning into a hub of hydrocarbon industry," said Vice-Admiral Verma. The Navy is also adding 44 ships including a submarine to its fleet. A mammoth amphibious ship, which is slated to join the Eastern Fleet, is at an advanced stage of trials at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. Further, 10 water-jet fast attack craft are also under construction and the first four would be on duty on the East Coast very soon.

To ensure that the coast is protected well, the Indian Navy regularly conducts a contingency exercise codenamed Prasthan which has involvement of all offshore industry stakeholders, oil platforms and ships operating in the region.

Navy is also a friend in need

Visakhapatnam, Dec. 3: The Indian Navy is not just a war machine but also friend in need. People of Vizag, for instance, look at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) for rescue and relief operations during natural calamities.

The Navy responds quickly to distress calls and many a time it has rescued the fishermen who go missing after their vessels capsize. "The Navy has saved hundreds of lives during the last few years," says Vasupalle Appa Rao, a local fisherman who was rescued by a naval chopper from the seas. As recently as on September 14, four members of a fishing boat were rescued by two Chetak helicopters operating from INS Dega.

Naval divers are also of much help. Their expertise came to use when a boat carrying 33 Greyhounds personnel capsized after being ambushed by the Maoists at Chitrakonda in Orissa. The naval divers located the boat in the Balimela reservoir after two days of intensive search. They were also able to haul it ashore. Further, diving teams from the Eastern Naval Command had gone to Bihar to undertake rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas along the Kosi River which was in spate following the breach of a dam in Nepal.

Port to cause Rs 4,500cr loss

Hyderabad, Dec. 3: The state government will extend the concession agreement period of Kakinada deep water port from 30 years to 50 years. This might result in a revenue loss of Rs 4,500 crore to the state exchequer. It will also scrap the Minimum Guarantee Amount clause in the deal. It is also forgoing its right to renegotiate the deal on the revenue sharing at the end of 20-year-agreement period in 2018.

Sources told this correspondent that the Cabinet sub-committee made the above recommendations to the government and the same would be placed before the Cabinet in next meeting for its approval. The sub-committee appeared to be interested in helping the Kakinada Sea Ports Limited even though the Opposition criticised that it was a complete sell out.

The KSPL projected a revenue of Rs 491.3 crore by 2018. "After deducting 30 per cent for maintenance the net revenue worked out to be Rs 350 crore. Even if the government goes for a revenue sharing of 50 per cent it will get Rs 175 crore every year," sources said. The government, sources argue, will be at an advantageous position to bargain for a higher revenue because all the assets will become free from liability by 2018.