The Defence Research and Development Organisation has initiated precautionary evacuation of civilian settlements near the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha ahead of a scheduled test of the Agni-6 intercontinental ballistic missile, officials said.
Thousands of residents from villages adjacent to the ITR facility at Chandipur have been moved to temporary shelter as part of standard safety protocol for high-altitude ballistic missile trials. The evacuation underscores the operational readiness of India’s longest-range strategic weapon system.
The Agni-6 is a solid-fuelled, three-stage ICBM with an estimated range of 5,000 to 6,000 kilometres, placing it among the world’s most advanced long-range systems. Developed entirely by DRDO, the missile represents a cornerstone of India’s strategic nuclear deterrent architecture and can deliver multiple warhead payloads across intercontinental distances.
The ITR at Chandipur, located on the Odisha coast approximately 370 kilometres south of Kolkata, has been India’s primary ballistic missile test facility since 1963. The range accommodates launches of missiles from tactical systems like the Prithvi to strategic platforms including the Agni family, and serves as the test bed for DRDO’s most sensitive weapons programmes.
The Agni-6 programme reflects India’s strategic doctrine of credible minimum deterrence. The missile’s development, initiated in the mid-2000s, extended through multiple flight trials conducted at ITR between 2013 and 2023. Each test iteration validated improvements in fuel efficiency, guidance precision, and warhead separation systems.
Civilian evacuation protocols at ITR are routine and standardised. Advance notices are issued to district administrations, and local communities within a defined safety perimeter are temporarily relocated. These measures protect population centres while allowing DRDO engineers unobstructed operational space to conduct high-altitude ballistic tests without technical or safety constraints.
The Agni-6 occupies a distinct role in India’s triad of strategic strike systems. Unlike the submarine-launched K-series missiles or air-breathing cruise platforms, the Agni-6’s land-mobile launcher provides rapid deployment flexibility. Its three-stage solid-rocket architecture, evolved from the Agni-5 platform, incorporates advanced inertial guidance and terminal phase course correction capabilities.
Test activity at ITR also reflects DRDO’s broader modernisation agenda. The range continues to serve as the validation point for next-generation missile defence systems and emerging strategic platforms under development. Maintaining operational readiness of test infrastructure and surrounding communities remains integral to India’s defence technology roadmap.
