Pilot smart border project to be launched by year-end: Amit Shah

Addressing BSF personnel at Lankamura border outpost in Tripura, Shah said, “We have decided that wherever there is BSF and SSB deployed, under a quadrilateral security strategy, we will make our borders impregnable by integrating the local administration, technology and the dedication of security personnel.”

“The smart border project is at a finalisation stage and the pilot project will be introduced this year itself. These pilot projects will be launched simultaneously at seven to eight places. However before that, all DGs should review their borders and interact with personnel and then based on their feedback, pilot projects will be launched,” the Home Minister said.

Shah further said that border security could not be ensured in isolation and therefore the local administration would have to be involved in this.

Referring to the Tripura frontier, the Home Minister said, “Whether it is the northeastern state or neighbouring West Bengal or Bihar, demographic changes will not be allowed to take place.”

He said that for the modernisation of border fencing, the government had approved installation of 119 km of new fencing to replace a portion of the approximately 650 km of fencing that is over 15 years old.

Shah further informed that several projects aimed at improving facilities for personnel at border outposts -- such as electricity supply, green energy initiatives, and safe drinking water — have not only been initiated but also completed.

He emphasised on the need to transform the entire concept of border fencing and work culture. “It will be our responsibility to protect the country and its borders from every malaise affecting our society. The concept of smart fencing and a quadrilateral security grid is being integrated into the work culture of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) responsible for border security in the coming days,” he stated.