Lok Sabha Question No. 6204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Sagar Vani System
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri G M Harish Balayogi, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6204

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 1 ST  APRIL, 2026

## SAGAR VANI SYSTEM

6204.  SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI: SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of coastal districts and fishing communities in Andhra Pradesh currently covered under ocean information dissemination services such as the Sagar Vani system, State/UT and district-wise particularly in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh and Jagatsighpur and Puri districts of Odisha;
- (b) the details of the number of fishermen receiving advisories relating to potential fishing zones, ocean State forecasts and disaster alerts through these services, State/UT and district-wise particularly in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh and Jagatsighpur and Puri district of Odisha;
- (c) whether the Government has expanded the dissemination of such advisories through mobile applications, community radio or satellite-based communication systems and if so,  the  details  thereof,  State/UT  and  district-wise  including  the  reach  and  mode  of delivery particularly in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh and Jagatsighpur and Puri district of Odisha and
- (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve last-mile delivery of ocean advisories to fishermen in remote coastal areas of the country, State/UT and districtwise particularly in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh and Jagatsighpur and Puri district of Odisha

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The  Indian  National  Centre  for  Ocean  Information  Services  (INCOIS),  under  the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), provides a comprehensive range of ocean-based early warning and advisory services.

The services are available across all coastal States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Ocean  Information  Services  are  being  provided  across  all  12  coastal  districts  of Andhra  Pradesh  (Anakapalli,  Bapatla,  Dr.  B.R.  Ambedkar  Konaseema,  West Godavari, Kakinada, Krishna,  Prakasam,  Sri Potti  Sriramulu Nellore, Srikakulam, Tirupati,  Visakhapatnam,  and  Vizianagaram)  and  6  coastal  districts  of  Odisha (Balasore,  Bhadrak,  Kendrapara,  Jagatsinghpur,  Puri,  and  Ganjam).  In  Dr.  B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, services are extended through 5 Fish Landing Centres (FLCs), supporting fishing communities in nearby villages in initiating their fishing activities. Similarly, 11 FLCs are covered in Jagatsinghpur district and 20 FLCs in Puri district, facilitating access to ocean information for local stakeholders.

- (b) Approximately 8 lakh fishermen and other coastal stakeholders across all the coastal states/districts  of  India  are  receiving  Potential  Fishing  Zone  (PFZ)  advisories  and other INCOIS services. In particular, approximately 103,915 users in Andhra Pradesh and 158,711 users in Odisha are being reached directly by INCOIS through multiple communication channels, including WhatsApp, email, SMS, Telegram, SAMUDRA mobile application, etc. In addition to these direct communication channels, the same services  are  further  disseminated  through  partner  organizations  such  as  NGOs, Reliance Foundation, M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, State Fisheries Departments, etc. thereby extending their reach to a wider user base.
- (c) Yes Sir. INCOIS disseminates ocean-related alerts and advisories through a robust multi-channel  communication  framework,  including  SMS,  mobile  phones,  email, website,  mobile  applications,  community  radio,  social  media  platforms,  satellitebased communication systems (GEMINI platform, VOIP phones), etc. Additionally, Potential Fishing Zone advisories and Ocean State Forecasts are provided in local languages  to  enhance  accessibility  and  facilitate  effective  utilization  by  coastal communities and fishermen. INCOIS also issues alerts through the Common Alert Protocol (CAP)-based SACHET platform, enabling seamless transmission of ocean warnings and alerts to State and District authorities for further dissemination to the public.

INCOIS has developed the multilingual SAMUDRA (Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories) mobile application as a one-stop platform for  accessing  its  ocean  information  services.  The app  provides  real-time  alerts on ocean hazards such as tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell surges, enabling users to take timely precautionary measures. It also delivers PFZ advisories to help fishermen identify probable fish aggregation areas, thereby improving  catch efficiency and supporting livelihoods. In addition, SAMUDRA offers five-day Ocean State Forecasts to assist mariners, fishermen, and coastal communities in advance planning,  risk  reduction,  and  enhanced  maritime  safety.  All  these  dissemination channels are being utilized in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, as well as in Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Odisha.

- (d) To  improve  last-mile  delivery  of  ocean  advisories  to  fishermen  in  remote  coastal areas, INCOIS undertakes sustained outreach and capacity-building initiatives across coastal  States/UTs.  These  activities  include  awareness  programmes,  workshops, training sessions, tsunami mock drills, and the implementation of the Tsunami Ready programme,  carried  out  in  collaboration  with  State  agencies,  local  authorities, educational institutions, and coastal stakeholders.

Additionally,  INCOIS  also  conducts  targeted  outreach  programmes  for  coastal communities  and  fishermen,  including  user  interaction  workshops  and  training sessions, to enhance preparedness, operational safety, situational awareness, and risk mitigation,  particularly  for  those  operating  in  distant  and  offshore  waters.  Such awareness  programmes,  beach  cleanliness  drives,  and  mock  exercises  have  been conducted in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, as well as in Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Odisha.Under the Tsunami Ready programme, five coastal villages each in Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Odisha have been recognized as Tsunami Ready communities by UNESCO-IOC

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