The Coast Guard pledged comprehensive support and technical expertise to bolster the capabilities of the state’s marine police
In a strategic move to strengthen coastal security, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania has announced the recruitment of retired Coast Guard and Navy personnel to serve in the state’s 18 marine police stations.
The decision was made following discussions between Khurania and Donny Michael, Additional Director General of the Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard, Visakhapatnam). The meeting focused on enhancing coastal surveillance, improving aerial monitoring, and implementing robust control measures along Odisha’s 487-km coastline.
The Coast Guard pledged comprehensive support and technical expertise to bolster the capabilities of the state’s marine police.
Board To Inspect Coastal Areas
To ensure effective resource allocation, a separate board comprising officials from the Coast Guard and Odisha Police will be formed. This board will conduct detailed inspections of coastal areas to determine the allocation of boats and infrastructure to marine police stations.
Currently, Odisha’s 18 marine police stations are tasked with safeguarding the state’s extensive coastline, but they operate with only 13 outdated patrol vessels, which limits their operational efficiency.
“Our meeting emphasised the importance of maintaining effective coordination between both departments for coastal security purposes,” said Khurania.
Plans To Modernise Coastal Patrolling
To further strengthen monitoring efforts, police officials have revealed plans to acquire two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). These vehicles will significantly enhance patrolling capabilities across challenging coastal terrains, including sandy shores, mangrove forests, and waterlogged areas.
The decision marks a critical step toward modernising Odisha’s coastal security apparatus and addressing the vulnerabilities posed by an ageing fleet of patrol vessels. With the involvement of seasoned maritime personnel and new resources, authorities aim to ensure enhanced security and effective coastal management.
