Vikarabad, Telangana: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a new Very Low Frequency (VLF) station of the Indian Navy at Damagundam Reserve Forest in Pudur Mandal, Vikarabad, Telangana. The facility, which is being built at a cost of ₹3,200 crore, will span 2,900 acres and significantly boost the Indian Navy’s communication and operational capabilities. The VLF station will ensure reliable and secure long-distance transmission, strengthening the Navy’s command and control structure in challenging maritime environments.
Speaking at the event, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the VLF station would enhance India’s military capabilities, describing it as a “strategic asset of national importance.” He emphasized that secure and real-time communication between ships, submarines, and command centers is essential for India’s maritime security. “A foolproof communication system is often the deciding factor between victory and defeat,” he said, stressing the critical importance of real-time coordination in modern warfare.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the need to continuously empower the Indian Navy with advanced technology. “Our interests extend across the Indo-Pacific, and we have emerged as the first responder and a preferred security partner in the IOR,” he stated, adding that this station is part of India’s efforts to safeguard its commercial and security interests.
The VLF station, once operational, will complement the existing facility at INS Kattabomman in Tamil Nadu and play a key role in communicating with the Navy’s submerged submarines, enhancing their stealth and operational effectiveness. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi noted that the project would revolutionize the Navy’s communication capabilities, ensuring a robust and reliable command and control network across the oceans.
In addition to its military significance, the project is expected to spur economic development in the surrounding areas, creating employment opportunities during construction and operation. Rajnath Singh assured that environmental concerns are being addressed, and provisions are in place for rehabilitation, if required, during construction. “Sustainable development is one of the government’s priorities, and we are ensuring that this new technology will have minimal environmental impact,” he said.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and Minister for Forests & Environment Konda Surekha Garu were also present at the ceremony, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Telangana government.
