New Delhi, March 28 : The Defence Ministry on Monday signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd to construct eight Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs 473 crore. The contract was signed by the Joint Secretary (Maritime and Systems), Dinesh Kumar, and the Chairman and Managing Director, GSL, B B Nagpal, here. “These surface platforms will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category. These eight high speed vessels will be based along the coast of India with capability to operate in shallow waters and enhance the security apparatus along the vast coastline,” a statement by the Ministry said. The move would boost the indigenous shipbuilding capability and increase employment opport ties in the sector, the statement read. ASU MR