Archive · 23 Jan 2026
National Flag Hoisted on Islands
The National Flag was hoisted on two small islands in the Bay of Bengal, Udabali Island near Odisha and Hope Island near Kakinada, just before Republic Day.
The Odisha Police and an inspector general of police-level officer from Andhra Pradesh led these ceremonies.
The Odisha Police also announced a plan to spend Rs 149 crore to make the coast safer with boats, drones, and cameras.
The flag will also be hoisted on other small islands in the area over the next few days.
The idea to do this came from the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who suggested it during a meeting last year.
The ceremonies were attended by many important officials and local residents, including fishermen who live on the islands.
The National Flag was hoisted on Udabali Island in the Bay of Bengal near Odisha and Hope Island near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, ahead of Republic Day.
A Rs 149-crore plan was announced for strengthening coastal security, including motorised boats, drones, and CCTV cameras.
The budget will be used for maritime patrolling, hiring naval experts, and posting special police officers at fish landing centres.
The National Flag will also be hoisted on other uninhabited islands in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the next three days.
The initiative was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the All India Director General of Police Conference in November 2024.
- Who
- Odisha Police, Director General of Police Y B Khurania, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Customs, police, fisheries, intelligence, forest departments, local residents, fishermen, IGP Gopinath Jetti, Kakinada superintendent of police G. Bindu Madhav, District Forest Officer N. Ramachandra Rao, Kakinada ASP Patil Dev Raj Manish, Indian Coast Guard Commandant A.V. Ramam, Customs Superintendent M.V. Subrahmanyam, Marine South DSP (Visakhapatnam) G. Balireddy, Marine circle inspectors T. Rammohan Reddy (Vakalapudi) and M.V.V.S.N. Murthy (Odalarevu), Kakinada Port Station circle inspector P. Sunil Kumar
- What
- Hoisting of the National Flag on Udabali Island and Hope Island and announcement of a Rs 149-crore plan for strengthening coastal security
- When
- January 22-23, 2025 (ahead of Republic Day)
- Where
- Udabali Island and Hope Island in the Bay of Bengal, near Dhamra Port, Odisha and Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- To strengthen and modernise coastal security, uphold the sovereignty of the country, and affirm national sovereignty and integrity, symbolically recognising islands as integral parts of the Indian territory
- Location 1
- Udabali Island, Bay of Bengal
- Location 2
- Hope Island, Bay of Bengal
- Announcement Date 1
- January 22, 2025
- Announcement Date 2
- January 23, 2025
- Budget Allocation
- Rs 149 crore
- Budget Year
- 2025-26
- Key Initiatives
- Motorised boats, drones, naval experts, special police officers, CCTV cameras
- Command Centre
- Bhubaneswar
- Other Islands
- Kanika Sands, Long Wheeler, Coconut Wheeler, Small Wheeler, Nayatapu, Budhiabali, Hukitola, Kaduapal, Dhanichada, Parikud, Nalban, Kalijai
