Now Reading: MHA plans tech-driven command centres for India’s land borders
-
01
MHA plans tech-driven command centres for India’s land borders
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is developing a technology-driven command-and-control system for India's land borders, integrating surveillance inputs from the field through a network of command centres stretching from forward areas…
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is developing a technology-driven command-and-control system for India's land borders, integrating surveillance inputs from the field through a network of command centres stretching from forward areas to Delhi, according to a senior government official. The initiative, part of a new border management policy, aims to strengthen monitoring and response in regions where physical fencing is not feasible, such as the 3,488-km border with China.
A pilot project will start soon from the Pakistan border, the official added. The 'smart border' architecture will integrate artificial intelligence, sensors, surveillance systems and unified command centres to enable faster responses to threats. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier announced a four-pronged border security strategy involving border guarding forces, local population, state police and technological solutions. States were asked to submit suggestions by December, and the security grid will be finalised in the next 1.5 years.
Indian Opinion Analysis
India's 15,106.7 km land border with seven countries includes riverine, mountainous and desert stretches where fencing is impractical. The new command centres reduce reliance on physical patrols, which are resource-intensive and risky in difficult terrain. Drone threats, especially along the Pakistan border for smuggling and reconnaissance, are a key focus. The system's integration of multiple agencies under one platform addresses past coordination gaps, as highlighted in several parliamentary committee reports. The pilot on the Pakistan border will test the architecture before scaling to the China and Bangladesh borders. The December deadline for state suggestions will shape the final policy, expected in 2028.
The Supreme Court has in past judgments upheld the state's right to secure borders but stressed proportionality. The next concrete milestone is the December submission of state inputs, after which the MHA will finalise the technology mix and procurement timelines.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
