Odisha Bolsters Coastal Security with 18 New Police Stations  

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has significantly stepped up coastal security by establishing 18 dedicated coastal police stations and deploying additional forces along the state’s 480-km coastline.

In response to a query by MLA Tusharkanti Behera in the Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said regular security exercises such as Operation Sajag and Sagar Kavach are being conducted to thwart infiltration, smuggling, and other maritime threats.

In addition to the 18 coastal police stations, Special Police Officers (SPOs) have been stationed on fishing vessels to boost surveillance at sea, the Chief Minister said while adding that the government has approved the deployment of five hovercrafts for coastal patrolling and 15 Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs) to enhance maritime security.

To strengthen mobility and response capabilities, the government has also supplied four All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) for coastal patrolling and ten high-speed boats dedicated to rescue operations. A budget allocation of ₹26.194 crore has been sanctioned for the coastal security plan for the fiscal year 2025–26, he added.