The inauguration of the newly built boat workshop and slipway is a reflection of the government’s goodwill in modernizing the Coast Guard, said Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.).
The advisor made this comment as the chief guest at a meeting with concerned officials after inspecting the operational activities of the West Zone of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in Mongla, Bagerhat district, and inaugurating the newly built boat workshop and slipway today (May 17, 2025) afternoon.
The advisor said that Coast Guard members have to regularly participate in various risky operations in remote coastal areas. Considering this context, a boat workshop with modern facilities and technology has been inaugurated in the West Zone of the Coast Guard today. He said that this addition will increase the operational capacity of the Coast Guard West Zone. The advisor expressed hope that the newly built boat workshop will contribute as a technology-based ‘repair hub’ in the region for the repair and maintenance of the boats of the Coast Guard as well as Mongla Port, Navy, BGB, Naval Police and Forest Department.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) said that in order to develop the Coast Guard as a modern force, inshore patrol vessels, floating cranes and tug boats with state-of-the-art technology have already been added to the naval fleet. The process of adding bullet-proof high-speed boats, surveillance drones, fast ships and boats to modernize the Coast Guard is underway, which will also be included in the West Zone. He said that in order to develop the Coast Guard as a technology-based force, there are plans to add state-of-the-art helicopters in the future. As a result of all these initiatives, the Bangladesh Coast Guard will be able to play a more effective role in protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh’s waters and the security of the coastal areas in the future.
The advisor also said that recently the Coast Guard rescued 75 Bangladeshis who had secretly pushed into the country from remote areas and is always active to prevent push-ins in the future. He said that in January this year, the exchange of fishermen with neighboring countries through flag meetings while at sea was successfully completed, which is proof of their professionalism. He called on the Coast Guard members to always be vigilant and play an effective role in maintaining law and order in the post-coup country and protecting public safety.
Later, during a briefing to journalists, the advisor said, “To strengthen the Coast Guard, we have proposed to purchase 5 more large boats very soon, which will be implemented quickly.” Moreover, if necessary, helicopters will be purchased for the Coast Guard in the near future. Regarding the new outbreak of piracy in the Sundarbans, the advisor said, “Effective measures will be taken to stop the outbreak of piracy. No terrorist activities will be allowed to take place here. No matter what type of pirates they are, whether they are pirates or forest robbers, it is the responsibility of the Home Ministry to bring them under the law.”
