Union Home minister Amit Shah has announced that the Centre will roll out a “smart border” project along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders over the next year to strengthen surveillance and curb infiltration.
The project is aimed at securing nearly 6,000 kilometres of border areas using advanced technology and a stronger security network. Shah made the announcement while delivering the annual Rustamji Memorial lecture hosted by the Border Security Force (BSF), per a report by CNBC TV18.
What is the ‘smart border’ project?
According to Shah, the proposed system will use technology-driven surveillance tools including drones, radars and smart cameras to improve monitoring along the borders.
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“I want to assure BSF troops that we will launch this smart border project in the 60th year of its raising and we will make the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders impenetrable,” CNBC TV18 quoted Shah as saying during the event.
He added that the government has decided to create a “strong security grid” along both fronts within the next year. The smart border setup, he said, is expected to help detect and prevent illegal crossings and infiltration attempts more effectively.
Focus on infiltration and border security
The Union Home minister also said the government remains committed to identifying infiltrators and sending them out of the country.
Referring to concerns over illegal immigration, Shah urged BSF personnel to ensure that any “conspiracy” aimed at changing the demography of border regions is defeated.
He said the current governments in Tripura, West Bengal and Assam support stricter border security measures and oppose infiltration across Indian borders.
Shah also announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs will soon hold a meeting with the chief ministers of these states to discuss border-related security matters.
BSF completes 60 years
The announcement comes as the BSF prepares to complete 60 years since its formation in 1965. The annual lecture where Shah spoke is named after K F Rustamji, the first director general of the force.
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The minister further said that a high-powered demography mission announced earlier by the government would be unveiled soon.
