Coastal security exercise Sagar Kavach held on Odisha coast

New Delhi: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has conducted exercise Sagar Kavach for Odisha to validate the effectiveness of Coastal security mechanism along the  coast of the state. 

The exercise was aimed to evaluate the threats emanating from seaward in present geo-political conditions and validate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all Stakeholders in the coastal security mechanism. 

The exercise Sagar Kavach was also aimed at checking the efficacy of layered security arrangements i.e air-surveillance, deep sea patrol by bigger ships of Coast Guard and Navy and close coast patrol by Coast Guard Interceptor Boats, boats of Marine Police, CISF, Customs and Forest department etc. 

Over 18 departments including the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, the Marine Police, Fisheries Department, Customs, Paradip Port Authority, Forest Department, Fire Service Department, CISF, Intelligence, and local fishermen, etc. are taking part in the exercise.

Real time Threats/situations were simulated for all the participating agencies to assess their preparedness and update SoPs. Enhanced security measures were instituted through security patrol at sea by Indian Coast Guard/ IN/ Marine Police/ forest and custom boatsIndian Coast Guard and IN aircraft undertook extensive surveillance at sea off the coast of Odisha. 

For the first time SagarMitra force was deployed by Odisha state fisheries department at fishing harbour and fish landing centre/places.

The Exercise was instrumental in strengthening the close coordination among all coastal security stakeholders, develop progressive synergy, validating SOPs, identification of grey area and in enhancement of coastal security mechanism for the state of Odisha.

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