Govt sanctions Rs 150 crore boost to state’s coastal security

Bhubaneswar: The state govt has sanctioned Rs 150 crore to strengthen coastal security, DGP Y B Khurania informed on Thursday. The funding will facilitate establishment of an advanced command centre, the installation of CCTV surveillance at fish landing centres, and enhancement of marine police stations, all aimed at securing the state’s 575-km coastline.“Strengthening coastal security is a priority for the govt. With this Rs 150 crore allocation, we aim to significantly upgrade our current infrastructure. Over the past year, we integrated 10 advanced drones, 3 trawlers, and 140 special police officers into our coastal security division,” said DGP Y B Khurania.He also mentioned the proposed development of a state-of-the-art command and control centre for real-time surveillance along the vast coastline.

“Efforts are underway to equip 32 fish landing centres and fishing harbours with CCTV systems. The procurement of new speed boats for the 18 marine police stations has commenced,” Khurania said.The drones have been strategically deployed across coastal districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam. Control centres are being set up at strategic locations to manage drone operations and analyse surveillance data in real-time.

According to ADG (coastal security) Arun Bothra, the advanced command and control centre will serve as the cornerstone of maritime security and coastal surveillance operations in the state. This facility will act as a central hub for monitoring, coordinating, and responding to coastal security challenges and emergencies in real-time, as per official statements. Police sources indicate that the command centre will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, including high-definition surveillance systems, unified communication networks, and data analysis capabilities.

It will seamlessly integrate with drones, VHF communication systems, and other coastal security apparatus.In the wake of recent Indo-Pakistan border tensions, the state govt initiated efforts to enhance its coastal security and emergency preparedness from the seafront. The DGP highlighted the intensified community policing efforts among marine fishermen, who play a crucial role in identifying infiltrators and suspicious vessels. Police presence have been increased at fish landing centres along the coast to support these efforts.