Bhubaneswar: The govt has taken steps to strengthen coastal security by proposing two additional marine police stations in Balasore and Puri districts to the Union home ministry, Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the assembly through a written reply on Monday while responding to a question from Soro MLA Madhab Dhada.
The proposal was sent to the home ministry for approval. Currently, Odisha maintains 18 marine police stations along its coastline and these new additions aim to enhance maritime security and surveillance. The strategic location of these proposed stations in Balasore and Puri will help monitor coastal activities, prevent illegal fishing and combat maritime crimes, officials said.
Dhada wanted to know from the CM about coastal security, staff strength in marine police stations, infrastructure and funds being invested for the purpose by the Centre and the state.
“There are 18 marine police stations to strengthen coastal security. In the first phase, the Centre provided Rs 3.48 crore and in the second phase, it provided Rs 11.75 crore. In the third phase, we wrote to the home ministry for establishing new marine police stations at Panchubiswa in Balasore and at Naba in Puri district,” the CM said in his written reply.
The CM further stated that 15 fast interceptor boats were provided to the police stations to keep a watch on infiltrators. To check infiltration, special police officers were recruited and deployed at fishing points, and for patrolling, 15 hired trawlers were provided to them.
“Operation Sajag, a security drill, is carried out every month to check the illegal entry of infiltrators and international criminals. Annually, the Sagar Kavach and SeaVigil exercises are carried out jointly involving stakeholders such as the Navy, Coastguard, marine police and others,” the CM said.
The written reply revealed that the marine police stations were provided with equipment such as night vision devices, digital cameras, LED search lights, digital photocopiers, compasses and voice recorders. Besides 15 boats, 18 four-wheelers and 36 motorcycles were provided to the personnel of the marine police station.
The reply revealed the state’s 18 marine stations have a sanctioned strength for 18 inspectors, 54 sub-inspectors and an equal number of assistant sub-inspectors. Each police station has a sanctioned strength of 24 constables and eight havildars. However, there are significant vacancies in the posts of SI and ASI.