BHUBANESWAR: Ahead of the 77th Republic Day, the Odisha Police has taken a significant step to reinforce coastal security and reaffirm India’s sovereignty by hoisting the national flag on Udabali Island, an uninhabited island located near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district. The tricolour was unfurled by Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania, symbolically fluttering in the mid-sea as an emblem of national pride, vigilance and territorial integrity.
The flag-hoisting ceremony was organised as part of a broader initiative to strengthen India’s coastal security framework and assert sovereign presence over sensitive maritime zones. Addressing the gathering, DGP Khurania expressed deep appreciation for the courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the security forces engaged in safeguarding the country’s coastline.
Upgradation of Security Forces
The DGP said that the Odisha Police has initiated a comprehensive long-term plan to modernise and further strengthen coastal security infrastructure across the state. To support this initiative, the state government has approved an allocation of Rs 149 crore in the current financial year’s annual budget. The funds will be utilised to procure advanced resources and deploy modern technology for maritime surveillance and policing.
As part of the security upgrade, motorised patrol boats and trawlers will be inducted to enhance marine patrolling capabilities. Each marine police station will be equipped with drones to improve aerial surveillance and monitoring of coastal and offshore areas. The plan also includes the deployment of naval experts and technical advisors to provide operational guidance and strengthen maritime preparedness.
In addition, special marine police officers will be posted at major fish landing and fishery centres to maintain close coordination with local fishing communities and ensure constant vigilance along the coast. Community policing initiatives will be strengthened across all marine police stations to promote information-sharing and public participation in coastal security efforts.
To further enhance monitoring, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed at fish landing centres, and dedicated control rooms will be established at marine police stations. These facilities will be integrated with a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre in Bhubaneswar, which is expected to play a pivotal role in real-time surveillance, coordination and response to maritime security challenges in the coming days.
Bolstering Coastal Security
DGP Khurania thanked the state government for taking decisive measures to bolster coastal security and for providing the necessary financial and administrative support. He noted that hoisting the national flag on uninhabited coastal islands reflects the Odisha Police’s firm resolve to protect the nation’s land and sea sovereignty, and serves as a strong message of India’s unwavering presence along its maritime frontiers.
The DGP also expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Customs Department, state police, Fisheries Department, intelligence agencies, Forest Department, local residents and fishing communities for their cooperation and proactive role in making the initiative successful.
Flag-hoisting at Udabali Island
Officials said the flag-hoisting at Udabali Island is part of a wider campaign to unfurl the national flag on several uninhabited coastal islands across Odisha. The objective is to strengthen India’s sovereign presence along sensitive sea routes and deter any potential infiltration or unlawful activities through maritime corridors.
It may be recalled that during the All-India Directors General of Police Conference held in Odisha in November 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed coastal states to hoist the national flag on uninhabited islands either on or ahead of Republic Day. In line with this directive, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi instructed the Odisha Police to identify uninhabited coastal islands and organise flag-hoisting ceremonies to underline India’s maritime sovereignty.
Accordingly, over the next three days, national flags will be hoisted on several other uninhabited islands, including Kanika Sands, Long Wheeler (Babubali), Coconut Wheeler, Small Wheeler, Nayatapu, Buddhiabali, Hukitola Island in Kendrapada district, Kaduapal, Dhanichhada, and Parikud, Nalaban and Kalijai islands in Puri district.
The event at Udabali Island was attended by Additional Director General of Police (Railways and Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, DIG (Eastern Range) Pinak Mishra, Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Raut, AIG (Marine) Satyajit Mishra, along with several senior police officers, personnel from coastal security agencies and other representatives.
