Bhubaneswar: With the state of Odisha experiencing significant growth in mining, industrial, and infrastructure developments, local police have requested that the government expedite the recruitment of three battalions for the Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF). Officials from the police department have expressed concerns regarding the delay in operationalizing these units, which is placing added strain on the current police force already tasked with securing industrial sites and regional airports.
The OISF was established in January 2014, modeled after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), with the primary goal of delivering specialized security services to industrial and other vital installations throughout the state. Currently, the OISF has only one battalion, which consists of approximately 1,390 personnel, all of whom were recruited in April 2016.
On April 19, 2025, the home department announced the approval of 972 positions across various ranks for the formation of a second OISF battalion. These personnel are intended to be stationed at government industrial entities managed by the directorate of minor minerals, state public sector undertakings, and the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), as well as at regional airports and other facilities. Following this, the state government confirmed the establishment of two additional OISF battalions on July 22, 2025, which entails the recruitment of an additional 1,944 personnel across different ranks. Consequently, the government has sanctioned the formation of three new battalions, totaling a strength of 2,916 personnel.
However, sources within the police department have indicated that the recruitment process has seen little advancement since these announcements were made. Officers are increasingly concerned as many establishments that were anticipated to receive dedicated OISF protection are still reliant on personnel drawn from existing armed police units.
Recently, the state police headquarters has reached out to the home department, urging a swift resolution to the recruitment and appointment process for the three approved battalions. “The government is aware of the situation. The Odisha Uniformed Services Staff Selection Commission is expected to initiate the recruitment process shortly,” remarked a senior government official.
It is important to note that a significant number of personnel from the special armed police and India Reserve battalions are currently assigned to secure industrial sites, government-operated mines, and regional airports in Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Jeypore, Utkela, and other strategic locations that necessitate dedicated security measures.
A senior police officer stated, “Odisha’s industrial and mining presence has grown considerably over the years, leading to an increased need for security at these facilities. There is an urgent requirement to make the sanctioned OISF battalions operational, allowing trained personnel to be deployed at industrial and other vulnerable sites.” Unlike traditional police deployment, OISF staff are trained specifically to meet the security needs of industrial facilities, covering areas such as access control, perimeter security, critical infrastructure protection, emergency response, and various other security-related duties.
