Bhubaneswar, January 22: Ahead of the 77th Republic Day, the Odisha Police organized a national flag hoisting ceremony on the uninhabited Udayabali Island near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district.

The flag was hoisted by Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, who paid tribute to the security forces' vigilance in protecting India’s coastline. He announced that the state police has drawn up plans to strengthen coastal security with ₹149 crore allocated for modernizing infrastructure. The funds will be used for acquiring boats, drones, CCTV systems, and enhancing community policing.

Khurania expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and various departments for their cooperation. The event followed a directive from Prime Minister Modi, with similar flag hoisting events planned for other uninhabited islands in Odisha.

Senior police officers, including ADGP Arun Bothra and Bhadrak SP Manoj Rout, attended the ceremony.