Odisha Hoists Tricolour On Udabali Island To Bolster Coastal Security
The Odisha Police have also advised fishermen operating in the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activities near these islands, underlining the role of local communities in safeguarding maritime borders
Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at strengthening coastal security and reinforcing India’s territorial sovereignty, Odisha on Wednesday hoisted the national flag on Udabali Island, located a few kilometres off Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district.
The Tricolour was unfurled by Odisha Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, marking a symbolic assertion of national presence on the mid-sea island. Similar flag-hoisting exercises are being carried out on 13 other coastal islands along the Odisha shoreline as part of a broader maritime security initiative.
The exercise assumes significance amid recurring concerns and allegations of illegal infiltration through sea routes, particularly along uninhabited or sparsely populated coastal stretches. Officials said several deserted islands could be vulnerable to misuse by infiltrators, making visible assertions of sovereignty an important deterrent.
The Odisha Police have also advised fishermen operating in the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activities near these islands, underlining the role of local communities in safeguarding maritime borders.
Addressing the All-India Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police Conference in Bhubaneswar, Khurania said the state has put in place long-term plans to strengthen coastal security through modernisation, improved surveillance systems and better coordination among security agencies. Maritime border protection was among the key themes discussed at the conference, in line with security priorities outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Officials emphasised that securing ports and coastal areas is a shared responsibility between the state and citizens, with the multi-island flag-hoisting drive forming a visible and strategic component of Odisha’s coastal security framework.
The initiative follows a directive from Prime Minister Modi to hoist the national flag on uninhabited coastal islands as part of Republic Day celebrations, aimed at reinforcing India’s maritime security posture and sovereign presence.
