Navy sets up separate command in Gujarat

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 21 

Keeping in mind growing threats from sea, the Navy has carved out a separate command dealing exclusively with the 1,214 km-long Gujarat coast and will station four warships at Porbandar at the newly set up land base – the INS Sardar Patel.

Till now, the Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval area were under one command. It has been divided to make two separate headquarters under flag officers of Maharashtra Naval area and Gujarat area, respectively. The combined area ran from Ratnagiri located south of Mumbai to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat bordering Pakistan. 

The division of the Naval areas was marked by Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade, who assumed the charge of Flag Officer Maharashtra area. Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar will officiate as Flag Officer Gujarat area. Admiral Pawar will be stationed at Ahmadabad while the Naval Officer in charge for operation will be based in Porbandar.

Sources said the Gujarat area was formed as some of the largest crude oil refineries, crude oil landing ports and ship building companies are based there.

The Navy has stationed its men and officers for operations at Bhavnagar Okha (Dwarka) Veraval and Kandla among other places.