New Delhi, June 29: To deal with terrorist attacks effectively without any delay, an NSG regional hub at Mumbai would become operational from tomorrow, while those at Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata from July 1.
The Centre has also sanctioned two NSG regional centres to be established at Kolkata and Hyderabad and the existing NSG hubs at Kolkata and Hyderabad will subsequently be merged with these centres.
Home Ministeri P Chidambaram and dignitaries from the State Governments will be present during the operationalisation ceremonies at Mumbai tomorrow and in Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkatta on Wednesday.
After the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a need was felt to have NSGs in other metros also for effective and quick response in countering such incidents. Four regional hubs were therefore sanctioned and being raised and operationalised at Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The NSG hub in Mumbai is at Marol on a 23 acres land, while in Chennai it is in 85 acres in Nedunkundram, one at Trimulghery is on 22 acres in Hyderabad and in Badu in Kolkata on 20 acres of land. Pre-fabricated and permanent structures are being constructed to station NSG commandos at these locations. The National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) has been assigned the construction work. The State Governments, including civil and police administration, Airport Authority of India and Army have extended full assistance in the establishment and operationalisation of the hubs within the scheduled time frame. With the establishment of these hubs, the response time of NSG in countering any terrorist action would be reduced significantly.
—Agencies