“INDIAN COAST GUARD CONDUCTS COASTAL SECURITY EXERCISE SAGAR KAVACH ON ODISHA COAST”
1. Indian Coast Guard conducted exercise Sagar Kavach for the state of Odisha to validate the effectiveness of Coastal security mechanisms along the Odisha coast. The exercise commenced at 0600 hrs on 11 Apr 23 and was terminated at 1800 hrs on 12 Apr 23. The main aim of the exercise was 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 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.
2. The Stakeholders who participated in the exercise include Indian Navy, Marine Police Personnel, Odisha Police, CISF, Forest Dept., Fisheries Dept., Customs, Paradip Port Trust, Gopalpur Port, Dhamra Port, Integrated Test Range/ Port Experimental Establishment, Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur, Light House, immigration and various intelligence agencies.
3. 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 customs boats Indian Coast Guard and IN aircraft undertook extensive surveillance at sea off the coast of Odisha. For the first time, the Sagar Mitra force was deployed by the Odisha state fisheries department at the fishing harbour and fish landing centre/places.
4. The Exercise was instrumental in strengthening the close coordination among all coastal security stakeholders, developing progressive synergy, validating SOPs, identification of grey areas, and in the enhancement of coastal security mechanisms for the state of Odisha.
