Panaji, Nov 3 (IANS): Coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach', in which several security and intelligence agencies are expected to participate, will be held off the Goa coast on November 8 and 9, an official statement said on Thursday.

"The exercise will also assess the effectiveness of coastal fishing community in serving as ‘eye and ears' for early warning of seaward threat," said a state government statement.

"This time the service of Drishti lifeguards (a private lifeguard agency), present at the beaches of Goa, will also be utilised for the purpose."

The coastal security exercise is being supervised by the state Chief Secretary and is conducted and coordinated by Indian Coast Guard unit in Goa.

"Other agencies like the Indian Navy, Goa Police, Goa Coastal Security, intelligence agencies, MPT (Mormugao Port Trust), state Ports Administration Department, CISF and Customs will take part in this exercise," the statement added.