Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that India’s international borders will soon be developed under a complete “smart border” model with the help of advanced technology-based security systems.
Speaking at the Rustamji Memorial Lecture organised in honour of Border Security Force (BSF) founding director KF Rustamji, Shah said the government is rapidly modernising border infrastructure along the Pakistan and Bangladesh frontiers to strengthen national security.
He said high-tech cameras, radars, sensors, surveillance systems and real-time monitoring platforms are being installed as part of the smart fencing and Integrated Border Management System projects. According to him, the Centre plans to implement large-scale smart fencing projects along both borders within this year.
Shah stated that land allocation for the projects is progressing quickly and added that the West Bengal government has already provided the required land for the initiative. He said the advanced system would immediately detect infiltration attempts, drone movements, cattle smuggling, drug trafficking and other suspicious activities. Security agencies would receive instant alerts, enabling faster and stronger responses, he added.
Referring to the issue of Naxalism, Shah said the government’s strategy has begun delivering decisive results. “A problem that continued for five decades is now nearing its end and India is moving rapidly towards becoming Naxal-free. Our security personnel have proved this on the ground. Merely controlling a problem is not the correct security policy; eliminating it from the root is the real solution,” he said.
Issuing a strong message on cross-border terrorism and infiltration, Shah said India had responded firmly whenever provoked. “We replied to Pakistan all three times and, if necessary, we will act even inside their territory,” he asserted.
The Home Minister also announced that the BSF would be given greater responsibilities in the coming days. He said the force would work closely with local administrations to curb illegal cross-border activities. Coordination would be strengthened from patwari-level offices to district authorities, especially along the India-Bangladesh border.
Shah further said the BSF would not only stop or push back infiltrators but would also work towards eliminating illegal entry attempts completely.
He added that the Centre and state governments are jointly strengthening border security infrastructure in border regions of Assam, Tripura and West Bengal. According to Shah, the BSF is receiving full administrative support for fencing and smart border projects, and the government has assured that any obstacle in border security work would be firmly addressed.