Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the 77th Republic Day, the Odisha Police on Thursday organised a national flag hoisting programme on the uninhabited Udayabali Island near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district, underscoring the state’s commitment to coastal security and national sovereignty.
The national flag was hoisted by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, who attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, the DGP paid tribute to the courage, sacrifice and dedication of the security forces who remain constantly vigilant in safeguarding India’s vast coastline.
DGP Khurania said the Odisha Police has drawn up long-term plans to further strengthen and modernise coastal security infrastructure across the state. He informed that the state government has allocated ₹149 crore in the current financial year’s budget for this purpose.
The allocation will be utilised for procuring engine-operated boats and trawlers for maritime patrolling, providing drones to each marine police station, appointing naval experts and technical consultants, deploying special marine police officers at fish landing centres, and intensifying community policing activities in coastal areas.
In addition, steps are being taken to install CCTV cameras at fish landing centres and to establish control centres at marine police stations. These facilities will be integrated with an ultra-modern command and control centre in Bhubaneswar, which is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing maritime surveillance and response capabilities in the coming days.
Expressing gratitude to the state government, the DGP said these initiatives would significantly bolster Odisha’s coastal security framework. He noted that hoisting the national flag on uninhabited coastal islands symbolises the Odisha Police’s unwavering resolve, firm faith in the nation’s land and sea, and steadfast commitment to protecting national sovereignty.
On the occasion, DGP Khurania thanked the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Customs Department, Fisheries Department, Intelligence Department, Forest Department, state police personnel, local residents and fishermen for their cooperation in making the programme successful.
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 that the national flag be hoisted on uninhabited islands of coastal states on Republic Day or the preceding day.
In line with this directive, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi identified uninhabited coastal islands in Odisha and instructed the DGP to carry out the flag hoisting exercise.
Accordingly, the national flag is scheduled to be hoisted over the next three days at Kanika Sands, Long Wheeler (Babubali), Coconut Wheeler, Small Wheeler, Nayatapu, Buddhia Bali and Hukitola Island in Kendrapara district, as well as Kaduapala, Dhanichhada and Parikud, and Nalaban and Kalijai Island in Puri district.
The programme at Udayabali Island was attended by ADGP (Railway and Coastal Security) Arun Bothra, DIG (Northern Range) Pinak Mishra, Bhadrak SP Manoj Rout, AIG (Marine) Satyajit Mishra, and several senior officers, representatives and personnel of the Coastal Security Department.
