Paradip, May 24: The Indian Navy is likely to set up a naval base and an advancement centre in Paradip in a bid to strengthen coastal security.

Eastern Naval Command personnel led by Eastern Naval Command chief vice-admiral Anil Chopra visited Paradip today and held discussions with officials of the civil administration, port trust, Coast Guard and Central Industrial Security Force to expedite the much-awaited coastal security project.

“Keeping in view the strategic importance of the eastern coast, the navy had mooted a proposal to set up a naval base and an advancement centre. We had sent a proposal for land allotment. The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has responded positively by providing us with the required plot,” said Chopra.

The land earmarked for the purpose is located close to Nehru Bangla on the outskirts of Paradip where the port trust authorities planned to set up a helipad.

However, the helipad project had been shelved to meet the navy’s land requirement, said port trust sources.