Bhubaneswar: As the govt pushes ahead with ambitious plans to promote the blue economy and harness maritime resources, Odisha police have drawn up a multi-agency coordination strategy to counter potential threats from the sea.“Vulnerable stretches of the 575-km coastline are being mapped with the help of intelligence agencies, while a comprehensive roadmap is being prepared to bolster security and surveillance,” DGP Y B Khurania said at a national seminar on coastal security here on Thursday, which was attended by various state and Central agencies, including marine police officials from different states.Khurania said several proposals are under active consideration to fortify Odisha’s coastal defences. “Odisha’s coastline is witnessing rapid growth in maritime activity. The blue economy initiatives and the Sagarmala project will significantly increase traffic and economic opportunities. While these developments bring prosperity, they also heighten vulnerabilities that can be exploited by anti-national elements, infiltrators, drug smugglers, and transnational criminal networks,” Khurania said.He emphasised that coastal security cannot be the responsibility of a single agency. “It requires a coordinated, multi-layered, intelligence-driven approach involving the Indian navy, coast guard, marine police, customs, fisheries, forest department, port authorities, intelligence agencies, and most importantly, the fishing communities who know the waters best,” he noted.Community policing, Khurania stressed, will be key, with fishermen acting as the “eyes and ears” of the police. Plans are underway to procure 10 aluminium patrol boats, establish mini control centres at 18 marine police stations, install CCTV systems at fishing harbours and landing centres, hire five additional trawlers, set up floating jetties, and acquire anti-drone systems. “These measures are aimed at strengthening surveillance, operational preparedness, and response capabilities along Odisha’s coastline,” Khurania said.According to the state police, the govt has accorded high priority to coastal security, allocating Rs 149 crore last fisal and Rs 113 crore this year for marine police stations, specialized assets, personnel training, and surveillance upgrades.ADG (coastal security) Arun Bothra highlighted additional measures. “Five trawlers have been hired to augment patrol capabilities. A state-of-the-art command control room and training centre has been established, and plans to install CCTV at all fish landing centres are underway,” Bothra said.The command centre, built at a cost of Rs 5.28 crore, will enhance maritime domain awareness and provide structured training to marine police. To support policy and operations, three consultants have been engaged, 140 special police officers deployed in sensitive coastal areas, and retired navy and coast guard personnel hired to mentor and strengthen coastal security operations.
