Konark: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated the Odisha Watermanship and Lifeguard Institute (OSWALI) at Ramchandi, near Konark. The institute will serve as a major milestone in strengthening Odisha’s coastal safety, watermanship skills, and emergency response capabilities.
On this occasion, the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art scuba complex was laid to expand advanced underwater rescue training in the State. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Odisha Tourism Department and the Odisha Fire Services and Emergency Services.
Speaking at the event, the CM said that OSWALI will emerge as a dedicated national and international centre for water safety, lifeguard training, and coastal resilience. He added that the institute will enhance Odisha’s capacity to effectively address the growing risks posed by natural disasters and climate change.
“In the coming days, this institute will train personnel of the Fire Services to become skilled in water rescue and lifesaving operations, while also enhancing the capabilities of Home Guards, Aapda Mitra volunteers, Civil Defence volunteers, and others. The primary objective of this institute is to ensure the protection of lives and property during various disasters,” Majhi noted.
This training centre has been established at a cost of Rs12 crore. In the current budget, an additional Rs10 crore has been approved to further strengthen deep-sea diving training facilities.
“This training centre will enhance the prestige of our state and give Odisha a new identity as a model in the field of disaster management training in the country. Personnel from other states will also come here to learn from Odisha’s disaster management model,” the CM concluded.
