Paradip: A joint maritime security exercise was conducted along the 480km long state coastline to strengthen the coastal security mechanism.

Sagar Kavach was a drill to check the effectiveness of security agencies and stakeholders. The exercise will be carried out in periodic intervals to test the preparedness of stakeholders in coastal security. The two-day exercise is being undertaken under the stewardship of Paradip coast guard while the marine police force, forest department, fisheries, Paradip port, directorate general of shipping, light house and light ships authorities took active part in the security drill," said commandant of Paradip Coast Guard T. Ashis.

The drill was last carried out in November. It was conducted to revaluate the existing Standard Operating Procedure mechanisms.

The coastal security operation centres at Paradip coordinated the security exercise to bolster up the sea-route security. Orchestrated efforts were made to familiarise various agencies with the standard operating procedures of the sea-route security mechanism.

The ongoing patrolling exercise that forms the part of centre's coastal security plan is intended to improve the coordinating capabilities of dealing with any contingency and exigency at any given time.

"The whole focus of the venture is to inculcate combative spirit among the agencies involved in coastal security. In case of any eventuality of sea-route subversive activity, the mock drill would keep them prepared to face the crisis," said the nodal officer of coastal security wing of state police, Bishnu Charan Mishra.

Coast guard ships and highly improvised sea vessels were deployed on the job.