Balasore: In a precautionary operation, the Balasore administration evacuated 11,442 residents from 11 hamlets within a 3.5-km radius of Launch Complex-3 (LC-3) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a scheduled missile test.
The evacuations were carried out primarily on Tuesday and Wednesday, with additional measures on Thursday, to ensure public safety during the launch from Launch Pad-3. Residents, along with their livestock in some cases, were shifted to temporary shelters at multipurpose cyclone centres in Bardhanpur, Bhimpur, and Tundra villages, as well as the Nidhipada Sevasram. Food, drinking water, essential services, and daily remuneration were provided to those displaced.
A revenue official described the move as a standard precautionary measure taken in consultation with the DRDO, emphasising cooperation for national security. Many residents were allowed to return home in Thursday evening.
As an additional safety step, fishermen along the coasts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapdra districts were advised not to venture into the sea during the test period.
Reports indicate that a missile was successfully test-fired from LC-3 on Tuesday evening. The second phase of the missile trial was conducted at around 5 pm on Wednesday. DRDO has not officially disclosed details of the missile or the test’s nature.
This large-scale evacuation has sparked speculation about a possible trial of a significant system, such as the next-generation Agni-6 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, analysts note that Chandipur’s LC-3 is more commonly used for shorter-to medium-range tests.
