Tourist Safety / Women Lifeguards to Patrol Puri Beach for Female Tourist Safety

Puri, Sep 12: For the first time, women lifeguards will be deployed along the Puri beach to ensure the safety of female tourists.

The initiative, jointly undertaken by the Odisha Tourism Department and the Fire Services, marks a significant step toward enhancing security and awareness on the state’s most popular coastline.

At Chandrabhaga, a special training camp has been set up where 25 selected women candidates are receiving advanced rescue training. They are being taught professional skills to handle emergencies in the sea, rivers, and swimming pools.

Also read: Fresh CCTV Footage Surfaces as Probe Intensified in Odisha Orangutan Rescue Case

Training includes rescuing people from water, providing first aid, monitoring sea conditions, and maintaining discipline and communication with tourists.

Currently, 94 lifeguards work in shifts across Puri beach. With thousands of visitors arriving daily, especially at newly developed stretches from Lighthouse Beach to Strolin Square, the demand for enhanced safety measures has grown.

Soon, women lifeguards will be stationed at these points to keep a close watch on female tourists and respond swiftly to emergencies.

Officials explained that male lifeguards often face uncomfortable situations while assisting or cautioning female tourists.

Deploying women lifeguards will not only improve safety but also create a more comfortable environment for women visitors. Intellectuals and tourists in Puri have welcomed the decision, calling it a progressive move.

To strengthen the safety infrastructure, 24 watchtowers and 20 rescue centers are being set up along the beach.

Fire Services officials have urged tourists to follow lifeguards’ instructions while bathing in the sea, as many accidents occur when visitors venture deep into the waters and fall prey to rip currents.