ICG Conducts Major Coastal Security Drill Off Maharashtra, Goa

24 Nov 2025 CW Team

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has successfully conducted the large-scale Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach-02/25 along the Maharashtra and Goa coastline from 19–20 November 2025. The drill demonstrated high levels of inter-agency coordination, strong operational readiness and the capability to counter maritime-security contingencies, including threats from anti-national elements targeting critical coastal assets.

Over 6,000 personnel and more than 115 sea and air assets took part, with participation from a broad range of central and state agencies, ports and coastal authorities. The exercise assessed the preparedness of all stakeholders in responding to coastal-security incidents, preventing attacks on key installations and strengthening the multi-layered coastal-security framework. It also aimed to enhance synergy among central and state bodies responsible for maritime security.

A wide range of maritime and aerial platforms were deployed, including Indian Navy and ICG ships, ICG Dornier aircraft, Chetak helicopters and Air Cushion Vehicles. Marine Police boats, Customs and CISF craft and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) assets also participated, alongside boats from Police and Fisheries Departments, ensuring seamless coordination across operational sectors.

The exercise significantly boosted interoperability, communication networks and coordination among security, intelligence and port-management agencies. Nineteen central agencies and thirteen state agencies took part, alongside one major port, twenty-one minor ports and district-level coastal authorities, ensuring comprehensive coverage across both sea and shore-based responses.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Dhalbhumgarh Airport Faces 150-km Rule Hurdle

The issue has resurfaced following a recent statement by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who said that under existing aviation policy, a new greenfield airport is generally not permitted within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of an operational civilian airport. He added, however, that if a formal proposal is submitted, its impact on the existing airport can be examined and relaxations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. While the clarification has revived some hope for Dhalbhumgarh, it has also underlined the scale of the technical challenge facing the project. Unde..

Stakeholders Seek Parallel Ops For Vizag Airports

With road and metro rail links to Bhogapuram still several years away, stakeholders in north Andhra Pradesh have renewed demands to continue civil operations at INS Dega even after the commissioning of Bhogapuram International Airport. The new airport is expected to begin commercial operations from June. Officials said close to 80 per cent of the airport infrastructure at Bhogapuram, including the terminal building and internal approach roads, has already been completed. However, inadequate external connectivity remains a key concern. Making a case for parallel operations, Andhra Pradesh Air ..

Govt To Roll Out V2V Tech To Cut Road Crashes

In an effort to curb road accidents, particularly in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog, the government is set to roll out vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology that will allow cars to exchange real-time data and alert drivers to potential dangers. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after the 43rd meeting of the Transport Development Council. The technology involves installing an on-board unit (OBU) in vehicles, enabling wireless data exchange between nearby cars. This will allow vehicles to share information such as spee..