An Indian Navy soldier keeps vigil off the Paradip coast. Telegraph picture

Paradip, May 12: Coastal security measures along the infiltration-prone sea routes off the Paradip coast have received a much-needed boost with the navy pressing into service its warship.

The navy and coast guard have embarked on a joint coastal security surveillance exercise off the Paradip coast.

“There are no specific intelligence inputs on possible subversive activity or terror strike. Even so, the coast guard and navy are on alert. The purpose is to maintain coastal security by countering terror strikes and curtailing infiltration and smuggling,” said commandant of the coast guard Ashutosh Behera.

INS warship Sandhyak and coast guard vessel Saranga are patrolling the coastline with both navy and coast guard personnel acting together to keep tabs on suspicious movement of vessels along the Odisha coast.

From now on, joint patrolling of this nature would be a routine affair, said Behera.

“We have received reports that fishermen and crew of fishing vessels have become panicky after seeing the movement of the giant warships. Rumours have started circulating about a terror threat to offshore installations such as the Indian Oil’s single mooring system. We have been receiving frantic queries. But there is nothing to be worried about over the intensified sea patrolling. It’s being done to safeguard the country’s security,” he said.

Coastal security mock drills are being undertaken along the 480-km porous coastline since the past three years. Government agencies such as the state police, marine wing of the fisheries department, forest department, Paradip port, the directorate general of shipping, lighthouse and naval forces are taking active part in it.

The coastal security operation centres at Paradip in Odisha and Haldia in Bengal were coordinating the security exercises. Orchestrated efforts were being made to make various agencies familiar with the standard operating procedures in securing sea routes, said coast guard personnel.

“Due emphasis is being laid to invigorate coastal security along the state’s 480-km shoreline. The state is armed with over Rs 1,000 crore grants from the Centre under the Coastal Security Scheme. With central assistance, 13 more new marine police stations will be added to the existing five in the state. The five marine police stations are operational at Balramgadi, Jambu, Paradip, Argipalli and Dharma. These stations are equipped with 15 mechanised vessels including eight improvised interceptors to maintain coastal vigil,” said nodal police officer of coastal security Shantanu Kumar Das.