Bhubaneswar: Odisha police are set to deploy drone surveillance along the state’s 480-km coastline, likely starting Sunday, to strengthen coastal security amid tensions with Pakistan.
The drones, equipped with high-resolution cameras, night vision, and advanced sensors, are in final testing and will enhance monitoring of suspicious activities. This initiative, described as a “force multiplier” by DGP Y B Khurania, will cover districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam, with control centers analyzing real-time data, the TOI reported.
Police are also boosting community policing among fishermen, increasing ex-navy personnel in the coastal security wing, and collaborating with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy. “We have a 511-km-long coastline, and additional deployments have been made. The state has engaged as many as 142 ex-Navy personnel as Special Police Officers in 18 marine police stations. We are conducting intensive patrolling in the sea,” ADG Arun Bothra told the media.
Fishermen, appointed as special police officers, are being sensitized to report suspicious activities at 75 fish landing centres.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed heightened vigilance, with 18 marine police stations on alert and 15 interceptor boats patrolling regularly.
Police have also made special security arrangements for safeguarding various installations like the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in Balasore district, Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur, Paradip Port in Jagatsinghpur, Ordnance Factory in Balangir district and other public places. “Security arrangements have been tightened at railway stations to counter possible terrorist attacks. Armed forces have been deployed at all entrances and exits of stations. All train coaches and platforms are being checked using metal detectors. If you see a suspicious person inside a moving train or at a station, immediately inform the police,” it said in a post on X.