The North News
New Delhi, January 5
The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned a new pollution control vessel, ICGS Samudra Pratap, as part of efforts to strengthen maritime safety, environmental protection and coastal security. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the ship reflected India’s increasingly self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem. He said indigenous content in Indian naval and coast guard vessels was steadily rising and efforts were under way to take it to 90 percent.
Although designed primarily for pollution control, the ship has been equipped with multiple capabilities, enabling it to undertake coastal patrols and contribute to maritime law enforcement. He said integrating several roles into a single platform would improve flexibility and preparedness in responding to present-day maritime challenges.
The Defence Minister praised the Indian Coast Guard’s wide-ranging responsibilities, from pollution response and coastal cleanliness to search-and-rescue operations and maritime security. He said the force’s growing capabilities sent a clear signal that any attempt to threaten India’s maritime borders would be met with a strong response.
ICGS Samudra Pratap is fitted with advanced pollution detection systems, specialised response boats and modern fire fighting equipment. It also has a helicopter hangar and aviation facilities, extending its operational reach. He further said the vessel would be able to operate effectively even in rough sea conditions, offering a significant advantage during emergencies.
Calling marine environmental protection a moral responsibility as well as a strategic necessity, the Defence Minister said India now ranked among a select group of countries with advanced oil spill response, fire fighting and salvage capabilities. He said the ship would help prevent damage to coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries and marine biodiversity, directly supporting coastal livelihoods and the blue economy.
The Defence Minister linked the commissioning of Samudra Pratap to India’s broader maritime vision, stressing that the oceans were a shared heritage requiring collective responsibility. He said India’s approach in the Indo-Pacific demonstrated its role as a responsible maritime power committed to peace, stability and environmental responsibility.
Reiterating the commitment of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to modernise the maritime sector, he said the Coast Guard must evolve from a reactive force into a proactive one, supported through new platforms, infrastructure and manpower.
In a first for the Coast Guard, the ship will have two women officers on board. The Defence Minister said their deployment reflected the force’s move towards a more inclusive and gender-neutral work environment, with women now serving in frontline operational roles.
The vessel has been built by Goa Shipyard Limited and will be based in Kochi under the Coast Guard’s western region. Senior officials, including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, attended the ceremony.
With a displacement of more than 4,000 tonnes and a range of 6,000 nautical miles, Samudra Pratap is equipped with advanced pollution control systems, dynamic positioning technology and modern weaponry, enhancing India’s ability to safeguard its seas.
