Indian Coast Guard Pollution Response Exercise At Hazira
Newz Daddy Defence Updates
Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters No.1, Porbandar (South Gujarat, Daman & Diu), under the aegis of Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar, conducted a Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX-25) at Hazira Port, Surat on 22-23 September 2025. The two-day exercise was designed around realistic scenarios and mock pollution incidents, involving participation of ICG surface and air assets. The exercise successfully showcased ICG’s integrated pollution response capabilities through effective deployment of booms, skimmers, and aerial surveillance to combat simulated oil spill contingencies.
Hazira Port is one of India’s key deep-water ports, handling crude oil, LNG, and bulk cargo, making it a sensitive location for marine pollution risks. By holding the drill here, ICG highlighted the importance of preparedness at industrial hubs where oil spills can pose major threats.
The exercise also brought together major key stakeholders such as Adani Ports Ltd, Cairn Oil & Gas, Shell Energy India, Gujarat Maritime Board, CMLRE and CSIR-NIO, thereby strengthening critical inter-agency coordination. Collaboration between industry, science, and government agencies is vital for handling oil spill emergencies. For example, CSIR-NIO (National Institute of Oceanography) provides marine research expertise, while CMLRE (Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology) studies ocean ecosystems to guide response plans. Private companies like Shell and Cairn contribute resources and experience in handling hydrocarbons, while the Gujarat Maritime Board regulates ports and shipping safety in the state. This mix of knowledge, equipment, and manpower is essential for any successful pollution response.
The strategic planning sessions, combined with practical demonstrations, provided valuable insights for enhancing joint response mechanisms to safeguard and protect the fragile coastal ecosystem and ensure swift mitigation of oil spills. Coastal Gujarat is home to sensitive marine habitats like mangroves, fishing zones, and breeding grounds for aquatic species. Oil spills can damage these fragile ecosystems for decades if not controlled quickly. These drills help agencies understand how to reduce the impact and recover faster.
As the designated Central Coordinating Authority for oil spill response, ICG continues to lead efforts in marine environmental protection under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). The NOSDCP, established in 1993, serves as India’s main framework for oil spill management. It defines the role of the Coast Guard and connects national resources with local authorities. Regular updates and practice drills like RPREX ensure that the plan remains practical and ready for emergencies.
Regular conduct of such exercises ensures continuous upgradation of national preparedness, validation of regional contingency plans and strengthens the collective resolve to protect India’s marine environment and coastal communities. Gujarat’s coast, stretching over 1,600 km, is India’s longest and also the most industrially active, making it highly vulnerable to oil pollution. Conducting exercises in this region demonstrates India’s commitment to environmental security alongside economic growth.
The successful conduct of RPREX-25 reaffirmed ICG’s commitment to its charter responsibilities as the nodal maritime agency for marine environmental protection, in line with its motto “Vayam Rakshamah,” which means “We Protect.” This motto reflects not only the safeguarding of India’s maritime borders but also its responsibility towards protecting the environment and coastal communities dependent on healthy seas. Over the years, the Indian Coast Guard has grown into one of the most respected maritime agencies in Asia for both security and environmental duties.