Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: In a major step toward strengthening its cybercrime response, 20 new cyber police stations are expected to be operational within the next four months.

Notably, the Odisha government had approved the establishment of new cyber police stations across the state on April 16.

The move also included the formation of a dedicated Traffic and Road Safety Wing (T&RWS), reflecting the state’s commitment to modernizing law enforcement infrastructure.

To support this expansion, the government has approved 987 new posts across various ranks, aimed at staffing both the new cybercrime and economic offences police stations and reinforcing the existing 14 cyber police stations.

Each of the current 14 stations will continue operating with two cyber forensic experts, two IT specialists, and two finance analysts.

The 20 new stations will be staffed with four specialists each — two IT professionals, one cyber forensic expert, and one finance analyst. The Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) will facilitate the recruitment of 170 experts through third-party outsourcing.

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This initiative comes in response to a sharp rise in cybercrime incidents in Odisha over the past decade. The financial damage caused by such crimes has also escalated significantly in the last six years, prompting urgent action from the state.

To ensure effective investigation and enforcement, additional police officers will undergo specialized training in cybercrime detection and digital forensics. The government’s proactive approach aims to build a robust framework for tackling online fraud, data breaches, and economic offences.

With cyber threats are evolving rapidly, Odisha’s investment in digital policing marks a critical step toward safeguarding citizens and businesses in the digital age.