Bhubaneswar: The state does not have adequate number of boats to guard its coastline.
Odisha had set up five marine police stations in the first phase to guard its 480km-long coastline. Later, the number was increased to 18 with the target of providing security up to 12 nautical miles.
Speaking to media persons after a meeting to review coastal security at the Secretariat here Friday, Asit Tripathy, Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department, said the Central government has not provided sufficient number of boats for the security of the planned area.
He said the state provides security up to 12 nautical miles through the marine police stations along the Odisha coast.
“The Centre has provided boats for the police stations created in the first phase. But it is yet to sanction the boats for the remaining 13 in the second phase. We hope the Centre will provide sufficient number of boats within five or six months.”
All the 18 marine police stations in the state are slated to be provided with 30 boats in two phases by the Centre for guarding around 12 nautical miles area on sea along the Odisha coast. Rest of the area is guarded by the Indian Coast Guard.
During the meeting, the officers deliberated on concerns over the monitoring of implementation of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for providing security to the large infrastructures, including ports and single point mooring (SPM) along the coastline. Three SPMs of Indian Oil are stationed at the Paradip Port. Tripathy also informed that the state has already complied with the SOP that was decided jointly by the Centre and the state.
