Home Minister says pilot project using drones, sensors and smart fencing will be rolled out soon; 650 km of ageing border fencing to be upgraded
Guwahati, June 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that the Centre will soon launch a pilot “Smart Border” project at multiple locations across India’s international borders, integrating drones, sensors, smart fencing and local administration into a technology-driven security network.
Speaking after inspecting the Border Security Force’s (BSF) Lankamura Border Outpost in Tripura, Shah said the smart border initiative is in its final stages and will initially be implemented at seven to eight locations before being expanded nationwide.
“The concept of smart borders is in its final stage, and a pilot project will be launched soon,” Shah said, adding that the system would combine modern technology with the coordinated efforts of district administrations, police, village-level officials and border guarding forces.
The announcement came alongside a major border infrastructure upgrade. Shah said the government has approved 119 km of new fencing and initiated the renovation of around 650 km of ageing border fencing that is more than 15 years old.
The Home Minister said the Centre is building a “smart security grid” to tackle evolving threats along India’s borders, including narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling and drone-based intrusions.
“Border security cannot operate in isolation,” Shah said, stressing that local administrators, police officers, village leaders and security personnel would all be integrated into the new security architecture.
During his visit to the strategically important Tripura frontier, which shares a long border with Bangladesh, Shah interacted with BSF personnel and reviewed border management measures. He praised the force for tackling a range of security challenges along the eastern frontier.
The Home Minister also inaugurated personnel accommodation facilities at the BSF’s 37th Battalion and laid the foundation stone virtually for a Quarter Guard complex at the 97th Battalion, highlighting the government’s efforts to improve living conditions for border personnel.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Shah planted an agarwood sapling in Agartala and said personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have planted more than 7.5 crore trees since 2019. He announced a target of planting two crore additional trees next year.
Shah said India had emerged as a global model in environmental conservation by meeting several commitments under the Paris climate framework ahead of schedule, while emphasising the need for afforestation to address environmental challenges.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Intelligence Bureau and the Border Security Force were present during the visit.
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