Puri Beach Safety / Puri Beaches to Get Year-Round Digital Alerts, Lifeguards

Puri, Aug 7: The golden sands of Puri in Odisha, where faith meets the sea, are now set to witness a new chapter in coastal safety. With drowning incidents claiming lives at regular intervals, the district administration has announced year-round deployment of lifeguards and installation of digital alert systems to protect visitors along the coast.

Safety Blueprint

The administration’s blueprint draws inspiration from the successful crowd management during the recent Rath Yatra. Key measures include:

• Audio-visual systems to issue real-time warnings.
• Digital screens for instant alerts to visitors and staff.
• Control rooms managed by police and fire services.
• Watch towers with trained lifeguards keeping constant vigil.
• Additional police aid posts to strengthen rapid response.

District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida said, “Real-time reaction and response will save precious lives,” stressing that no compromise will be made on coastal safety.

Rising Toll

In the past seven months, nine lives have been lost to rip currents and unsafe bathing practices. Between 2022 and 2025, over 1,362 people were rescued, yet fatalities continue to rise. Currently, 94 government lifeguards and 350 private lifeguards are deployed, but limited bathing zones and inadequate equipment remain challenges.

Public Response

Activists and intellectuals welcomed the measures but urged swift implementation. “Adequate lifeguards and lifesaving equipment are non-negotiable,” said Hector Mishra of Voice of Common Man. Tanmoy Chatterjee, a local intellectual, echoed the urgency, calling for immediate action to prevent further tragedies.

Beyond Safety

Alongside safety measures, beach-front development projects at Penthakata and Sterling Beach are being accelerated, combining tourism growth with public welfare.