Bhubaneswar, Oct. 16: The state government today urged the Centre to release requisite funds to strengthen security along the Odisha coast.

The request was made during the review undertaken by the Union cabinet secretary about coastal security preparedness with the chief secretaries of nine coastal states, including Odisha through video-conferencing.

Additional director-general of police, law and order, Bijayananda Jha said: "We had a video-conference meeting to review the phase 1 and 2 of the coastal security plan. The cabinet secretary takes stock of the situation every six months. We have apprised him of the challenges we are facing and also our performance and achievements over the period."

Jha said that the state had not received any boat in the second phase and was managing with the ones it had received in the first phase.

"The first phase boats have design flaws. Besides, we are waiting for the funds to be released to complete the construction of 18 marine police stations in the state," Jha said.

He said that all coastal fishermen of the state would be issued identity cards by the end of November.

Last night, officials of the Kendrapara forest department arrested six fishermen and seized four vessels for illegally fishing in the water bodies of Bhitarkanika National Park.