Bhubaneswar: In an effort to bolster coastal security and safeguard India’s eastern coastline, a two-day joint coastal exercise named 'Sagar Kavach-2' is currently underway along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. The operation, which commenced on Wednesday, focuses on preventing unauthorized intrusions through waterways and ensuring the safety of vital coastal assets.
This large-scale exercise involves the participation of 18 different departments, including key agencies such as the Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Forest Department, and the Fisheries Department. These teams are working collaboratively to secure the 480 km stretch of coastline that spans Odisha and West Bengal.
.webp "Two-Day Coastal Security Exercise 'Sagar Kavach-2' in Full Swing Along Odisha-West Bengal Coast") |
Simulated Real-Life Scenarios for Optimal Preparedness
To ensure comprehensive preparedness, the participating teams have been divided into two opposing forces—‘Red Force’ and ‘Blue Force’. The Red Force simulates hostile intruders attempting to breach the coastline, while the Blue Force is tasked with intercepting and neutralizing the threats. This structure ensures that the exercise mirrors real-life scenarios where coastal security is threatened by potential enemy infiltrations.
On the first day of the exercise, the focus was on testing various strategies to prevent intrusions from the sea. Mock drills were conducted, with the Red Force taking over ships in the deep sea and the Blue Force carrying out coordinated efforts to rescue the captured vessels. The drills simulate high-risk situations to assess the efficiency and response time of the security forces.
Comprehensive Coastal Surveillance
The second day of ‘Sagar Kavach-2’ continues the intensive operations, with a greater emphasis on coordinated surveillance across land, sea, and air. Coastal and marine areas are being heavily guarded, with checkpoints established at various strategic points along the coastline. Helicopters and drones have also been deployed to ensure real-time monitoring of coastal movements, enhancing the ability to detect suspicious activity.
Strengthening Coordination Between Agencies
One of the key objectives of the exercise is to ensure seamless coordination between various security agencies involved in coastal defence. By integrating their efforts, the participating departments are developing a robust and agile response mechanism that can be activated in case of an emergency.
The state and central governments have significantly strengthened their coastal security apparatus following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The 'Sagar Kavach' exercises are held twice a year to ensure that security forces remain in a constant state of readiness. This exercise serves as a vital rehearsal to fine-tune coastal defence strategies and prevent any potential threats from entering Indian territory via its vast coastline.
A Critical Step Towards Enhanced National Security
Coastal security has become a matter of national priority, particularly for states like Odisha and West Bengal, which have extensive coastlines and a thriving maritime industry. These coastal areas are not only economically significant but also strategically crucial, given their proximity to international waters.
The 'Sagar Kavach-2' exercise is yet another step in India’s continuous effort to ensure that its coastlines remain impenetrable to external threats. Through real-time simulations, active collaboration between departments, and rigorous monitoring, this exercise is expected to significantly improve the preparedness of security agencies, enhancing their ability to safeguard India's coastline effectively.
As the exercise concludes, it is anticipated that the participating forces will emerge better equipped to deal with any potential threats that might arise from the sea, reaffirming the country’s commitment to coastal defence and national security.