Odisha Hoists Tricolour On Udabali Island To Bolster Coastal Security

Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at strengthening coastal security and strengthening India’s territorial sovereignty, Odisha hoisted the national flag on Udabali Island, located a few kilometers away from Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district, on Wednesday.

The tricolor 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 conducted on 13 other coastal islands off the Odisha coastline as part of a broader maritime security initiative.

The exercise is significant due to repeated concerns and allegations of illegal infiltration through sea lanes, particularly along uninhabited or sparsely populated coastal areas. Many uninhabited islands could be vulnerable to abuse by spies, making visible claims of sovereignty an important deterrent, officials said.

Odisha Police also advised fishermen operating in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity near these islands, underlining the role of local communities in protecting maritime borders.

Speaking at the All India Conference of Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police in Bhubaneswar, Khurania said the state has put in place long-term plans to strengthen coastal security through modernization, improved surveillance systems and better coordination among security agencies. In line with the security priorities outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, protection of maritime borders was among the main themes discussed at the conference.

Officials emphasized that ensuring security of ports and coastal areas is a shared responsibility between the state and citizens and that the multi-island flag hoisting effort constitutes a visible and strategic component of Odisha’s coastal security framework.

The initiative follows Prime Minister Modi’s directive to hoist the national flag on uninhabited coastal islands as part of Republic Day celebrations aimed at strengthening India’s maritime security posture and sovereign presence.