Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 December 2025
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), under the aegis of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), conducted a two-day Regional Level Pollution Response (PR) Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram to strengthen preparedness and inter-agency coordination for tackling major marine pollution incidents in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The exercise, held over two phases, focused on enhancing operational readiness, resource management, and collaborative response mechanisms among key maritime and disaster management stakeholders.
On the first day, participants attended detailed briefings outlining roles, responsibilities, and preparedness frameworks under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). Agencies discussed available response assets, coordination protocols, and contingency strategies, followed by a table-top simulation of a heavy oil spill scenario off Sri Vijaya Puram Harbour. The simulation tested communication flow, command structures, and decision-making processes during a high-pressure maritime emergency.
Day two featured a full-scale at sea demonstration involving Offshore Patrol Vessels, aircraft, and response platforms configured for pollution control. Specialised containment booms were deployed to restrict and recover simulated oil spillage, showcasing effective operational execution.
Aerial assets, including Coast Guard Dornier aircraft and Chetak helicopters equipped with spray pods, demonstrated air-assisted mitigation techniques to limit the spread of oil on the water surface. The coordinated display highlighted the technical readiness and rapid response capabilities of the participating agencies.
The exercise reinforced inter-agency cooperation, operational efficiency, and preparedness in a region known for its ecological fragility and increasing maritime activity. Authorities noted that such initiatives are essential for safeguarding the marine environment, improving response strategies, and strengthening pollution management frameworks across the islands.
