‘ISRO developing low cost transponder for fishermen’

THOOTHUKUDI

Additional Director General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) V.S.R. Murthy inaugurated new infrastructure facility in the form of residential quarters on the premises of ICG Thoothukudi Station on Wednesday in the presence of Inspector General, Coast Guard Region (East), Rajan Bargotra, and Deputy Inspector General and Commandant, ICG, Thoothukudi Station, S.B. Venkatesh.

The residential quarters, comprising 32 houses for the staff, were established at a cost of ₹11.9 crore by Central Public Works department. Talking to reporters, Mr. Murthy said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was developing a low cost transponder exclusively for fishermen. If the project was successful, the transponders would be equipped in fishing boats measuring 20 metres and above.

A total of 42 ICG stations were functioning across the country and action plans had been drawn for five years to develop infrastructure with more projects at an estimated cost of ₹36,000 crore. The project had been approved by the Ministry of Defence. The 26/11 Mumbai attack had prompted security agencies to intensify security along the coast, and with coordinated efforts of the different agencies from maritime States, patrolling had been intensified.

He said the fishermen who shared intelligence on suspicious movements in the sea with them were ‘the ears and the eyes of the ICG’. It was essential for fishermen to carry life-saving equipment such as life jackets and buoys in their boats. He also felt the need for fishermen to instal ‘Distress Alert Transmitter’ devices in their boats to seek help at time of distress in sea. Those devices were given to some States at a subsidised cost, he added.