New watchtowers, rescue centres to make Puri beach safer
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt has drawn up a comprehensive anti-drowning action plan to make Puri beach safer for tourists, envisaging installation of watchtowers , establishment of rescue and treatment centres, deployment of advanced rescue equipment and identification of scientifically demarcated safe bathing zones along the coastline.
The initiative, to be jointly implemented by the tourism department and Odisha fire and emergency services , aims to establish a robust surveillance and rapid-response mechanism along the 9-km stretch of Puri beach, which attracts lakhs of tourists each year.
Tourism secretary Balwant Singh , accompanied by the fire and emergency services officials, visited the Puri beach on Monday to identify suitable locations for the proposed 24 watchtowers and 20 rescue centres .
Under the plan, the National Institute of Watersports will identify safe bathing zones along the 9-km stretch between Sterling and Penthakata beaches.
The move comes amid continuing concerns over drowning incidents along Odisha’s most visited beach destination. According to police sources, eight tourists lost their lives in Puri’s sea waters between Jan and Sep this year. While lifeguards rescued 416 people from drowning situations in 2024, six people died. In 2025, the number of rescues rose to 445, but fatalities also increased to 10.
Officials said personnel manning the watchtowers will maintain continuous surveillance of sea conditions and visitors. In the event of a tourist getting caught in strong currents or displaying signs of distress, alerts will be relayed to lifeguards stationed nearby immediately, enabling swift rescue operations using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other specialised equipment. Victims will then be shifted to rescue centres equipped to provide first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen support.
To further strengthen monitoring, the govt is also considering engaging retired police and defence personnel to oversee implementation of the anti-drowning measures.
“The initiative aligns with the govt’s vision of promoting responsible, sustainable and safe tourism, while reinforcing Odisha’s reputation as a preferred destination for beach, adventure and water-based tourism,” Singh said.
Fire and emergency services IGP Umashankar Dash said the safety infrastructure will be backed by enhanced deployment of trained lifeguards and modern rescue equipment, including speedboats, water scooters, inflatable rescue boats, rescue boards and tubes, life jackets and advanced communication systems.
“Beach safety is not merely about rescue after an incident occurs, but about prevention through vigilance, preparedness and timely intervention. The proposed surveillance network, trained manpower and modern rescue equipment will significantly enhance our capability to prevent drowning incidents and ensure a safer experience for tourists visiting Puri,” IGP Dash said.
The initiative, to be jointly implemented by the tourism department and Odisha fire and emergency services , aims to establish a robust surveillance and rapid-response mechanism along the 9-km stretch of Puri beach, which attracts lakhs of tourists each year.
Tourism secretary Balwant Singh , accompanied by the fire and emergency services officials, visited the Puri beach on Monday to identify suitable locations for the proposed 24 watchtowers and 20 rescue centres .
Under the plan, the National Institute of Watersports will identify safe bathing zones along the 9-km stretch between Sterling and Penthakata beaches.
The move comes amid continuing concerns over drowning incidents along Odisha’s most visited beach destination. According to police sources, eight tourists lost their lives in Puri’s sea waters between Jan and Sep this year. While lifeguards rescued 416 people from drowning situations in 2024, six people died. In 2025, the number of rescues rose to 445, but fatalities also increased to 10.
Officials said personnel manning the watchtowers will maintain continuous surveillance of sea conditions and visitors. In the event of a tourist getting caught in strong currents or displaying signs of distress, alerts will be relayed to lifeguards stationed nearby immediately, enabling swift rescue operations using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other specialised equipment. Victims will then be shifted to rescue centres equipped to provide first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and oxygen support.
To further strengthen monitoring, the govt is also considering engaging retired police and defence personnel to oversee implementation of the anti-drowning measures.
“The initiative aligns with the govt’s vision of promoting responsible, sustainable and safe tourism, while reinforcing Odisha’s reputation as a preferred destination for beach, adventure and water-based tourism,” Singh said.
Fire and emergency services IGP Umashankar Dash said the safety infrastructure will be backed by enhanced deployment of trained lifeguards and modern rescue equipment, including speedboats, water scooters, inflatable rescue boats, rescue boards and tubes, life jackets and advanced communication systems.
“Beach safety is not merely about rescue after an incident occurs, but about prevention through vigilance, preparedness and timely intervention. The proposed surveillance network, trained manpower and modern rescue equipment will significantly enhance our capability to prevent drowning incidents and ensure a safer experience for tourists visiting Puri,” IGP Dash said.
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