The Chandipur missile test was successfully conducted on Tuesday after the Odisha administration evacuated 2,524 residents from villages near the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore district as a precautionary safety measure. The missile was test-fired from Launch Complex-3 at 11.19 am, after which residents were allowed to return to their homes following clearance from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The evacuees came from four villages located within a two-kilometre radius of the test site. The district administration coordinated the movement with defence authorities and the police, arranging transport and temporary shelters before the operation. The arrangements were designed to keep residents away from the designated safety zone during the test.
Four temporary shelters were used, including multipurpose cyclone shelters and school buildings. Officials arranged food, drinking water, medicines and other basic amenities at the locations. Medical teams and fire service personnel were also deployed to respond to any emergency during the evacuation period.
Block Development Officer (Sadar) Uttam Jena said six villages within a radius of one to two kilometres from the test site had been identified for possible evacuation. Authorities had estimated that between 2,500 and 2,600 people could require relocation and had planned six shelters for the operation. Two multipurpose cyclone shelters were located at Jayadev Kasba and Khadupahi, while temporary facilities were arranged at other locations.
Special vehicles transported villagers to the shelters. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments were provided during the stay, according to the report. The DRDO reportedly covered the expenses associated with the evacuation and provided financial assistance to affected residents towards their daily wages.
The evacuation reflects the administrative arrangements required around missile testing at the Chandipur range, where nearby communities may fall within temporary safety zones. In this operation, local authorities combined shelter capacity, transport, medical support and emergency services before allowing residents to return after receiving clearance from the DRDO.
