ICGS Vijay was commissioned by defence secretary Sanjay Mitra at the Chennai Port

Intel suggests Rohingyas could enter India via sea. ICGS Vijay will maintain surveillance in Bay of Bengal and Odisha. Second ship made by L&T under 'Make in India' in past six months

by Manjeet Singh Negi

With intelligence inputs suggesting that Rohingyas could enter India via the sea route, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Friday inducted ICGS Vijay, which would be deployed in the Bay of Bengal along the Odisha coast.

The 2,200-tonne ship, built by private sector shipyard Larsen & Toubro under the 'Make in India' scheme, will maintain surveillance in the eastern seaboard, including both Bay of Bengal and Odisha, to prevent any possible influx of Rohingyas, officials said.

The 98-metre-long and 14.8-metre-wide ship, which has an advanced light helicopter and a high-speed boat on board, has a crew strength of 94 sailors and 12 officers. With an endurance of 5,000 nautical miles, it can cruise at speed of 12-14 knots.

ICGS Vijay was commissioned by defence secretary Sanjay Mitra at the Chennai Port in presence of ICG director general Rajendra Singh. The Modi government is taking every possible step to ensure foolproof security of sea routes, Mitra said.

Many such ships would be inducted into the ICG to ensure better surveillance in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal regions, Singh said. The ship is the second vessel made by L&T under the 'Make in India' scheme in the past six months.