THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
APRIL 27, 2026
In
a major push to strengthen safety standards in water-based adventure tourism,
Odisha has launched a comprehensive residential lifeguard training programme at
the Odisha State Watermanship and Lifeguard Institute (OSWALI), Konark. The
first batch commenced on Monday, marking the beginning of an intensive
capacity-building initiative.
The
programme will be conducted in 11 continuous batches, each lasting 12 days,
over the next one-and-a-half months. A total of 176 government and private
lifeguards will be trained during this phase.
The
specialised curriculum has been designed to equip participants with critical
skills, including rescue techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first
aid, open-water operations, disaster response, tourist safety protocols, and
watersports safety standards.
Earlier
this year, the Department of Tourism took a significant step towards
establishing Odisha as a premier and safe adventure tourism destination by
forging strategic partnerships to bolster water tourism and safety
infrastructure. In this regard, the department signed Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) with the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa,
and Odisha Fire and Emergency Services (OFES). These collaborations aim to
enhance capacity building, strengthen safety standards, and introduce advanced
technical expertise across Odisha's rapidly expanding watersports ecosystem.
The
initiative forms part of the state's larger vision to train nearly 2,000
lifeguards over the next two to three years, creating a robust and scalable
safety framework for Odisha's coastal and inland water tourism sectors.
To ensure scientific planning and effective deployment, comprehensive mapping of waterbodies, including their usable stretches, has already been completed across all 30 districts. Based on this data, the process of preparing a district-wise pool of interested youth for lifeguard training is currently underway. This will facilitate systematic deployment across key tourism destinations, including beaches, lakes, dams, and riverfronts.
The lifeguards trained under the current phase will be strategically deployed at major tourist hotspots such as Puri, Chandrabhaga, and other prominent beaches. The continuous batch model is expected to significantly enhance Odisha's beach and water safety network ahead of the peak tourist season, further reinforcing the state's position as a leading adventure tourism destination.
