Bhubaneswar: The installation of early warning dissemination system in twenty two cyclone-prone coastal blocks of six coastal districts of Odisha as part of the World Bank-supported National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project is likely to be commissioned by March end.

Sirens will warn the coastal people living within a range of up to 2.5 kilometres about the impending disaster so that they can shift to safer places well in advance.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik switched on the demonstration tower on October 29 on the occasion of the State Disaster Preparedness Day.

The progress in the implementation of the project was reviewed at a meeting, presided over by Odisha disaster management secretary Bishnupada Sethi on Wednesday.

"The project is likely to be commissioned by March 31," said Sethi.

It was revealed during the review meet that out of total 103 towers and 57 rooftop poles to be erected under the project, 99 towers and all 57 poles have already been installed. The remaining three towers will be installed within next two weeks.

All major equipment, except digital mobile radio items, have also been installed. As the required licence for the digital mobile radio communication equipment from the Wireless Planning and Monitoring Wing under the department of telecommunications has since been received, the digital mobile radio items are likely to be delivered soon.

Various issues concerning the project - such as security arrangements, proper upkeep of the early warning dissemination system installations, proper inventory of equipment and materials supplied under the project - were discussed in the meeting.