Bhubaneswar: The state government has sought the Centre's sanction for raising a special police battalion exclusively for strengthening security along its 480km coastline, a senior official said on Monday.

A proposal to this effect has already been sent to the Centre by the state's home department in view of the growing need for guarding the coastline, the officer said on the condition of anonymity.

"Setting up of the proposed India Reserve Battalion (IRB) will go a long way in supplementing the efforts of the marine police in tightening security along the coast," he said.

Mentioning that several other coastal states have been sanctioned IRB units, the officials said such a battalion was also required in Odisha. He said: "Odisha also needs an IRB unit to ensure effective vigil along its long coastline as the marine police stations are not properly equipped for the purpose."

The state government has also urged the Centre to sanction two more marine police stations as some stretches, particularly in Balasore and Puri, remain porous.

At present, the state has 18 marine police stations. While five of them - at Paradip, Balaramgadi, Dhamra, Jamboo and Arjipalli - are ready, the remaining 13 are yet to be fully equipped.

The marine police stations keep a check on illegal activities such as arms smuggling, infiltration, unauthorised fishing, entry of anti-nationals through the sea route and guard vital installations along the coast, he said, adding that it was necessary to set up a marine police station each in Balasore and Puri districts, for which a proposal had been sent to the Centre, the officer said. Exclusive jetties are also required for marine police in the state to ensure proper functioning of the interceptor boats that are in operation, he said.

The state government has also urged the Centre for setting up three jetties on the Odisha coast. Proposals have been sent to set up the jetties at Bhusandeswar in Balasore, Sipasarubali in Puri and Maluda in Khurda districts.

The state government has also urged the home ministry to sanction funds for expenses incurred in consumption of fuel by interceptor boats as the state is not in a position to bear such a huge expenditure, he said, adding that the Centre has also been urged to provide funds for maintenance of the interceptor boats.