Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre is working to establish an impregnable border security grid through the proposed Smart Border Project, which will deploy advanced surveillance technologies, including drones and modern cameras, to strengthen border management.
Addressing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the Lankamura Border Outpost along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s West district, Shah said the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 could not be achieved without ensuring national security.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 requires a secure and stable environment, adding that safeguarding the country’s borders remains a key priority.
The Home Minister noted that India faces not only conventional security challenges but also threats such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, cattle smuggling, narcotics abuse among youth and the circulation of counterfeit currency, which adversely impacts the economy.
Praising the role of BSF personnel deployed along the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, Shah said citizens deeply appreciate the force’s dedication and commitment in protecting the nation’s frontiers.
Referring to the proposed Smart Border Fencing initiative, Shah said the project is in its final stages of planning and that a pilot programme would be launched next year at selected locations where the BSF and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are deployed.
He said the government would assess the pilot project’s performance before implementing the Smart Border Project on a larger scale.
“Border security will be ensured in totality, not in a fragmented manner,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh present distinct challenges, including infiltration, drug smuggling, human trafficking and the use of drones to drop arms and narcotics across the border.
He also said the government is aware of issues faced by BSF personnel and their families and has undertaken several measures to improve their welfare and address service-related concerns.
Shah further asserted that the government would not tolerate demographic changes in West Bengal, Tripura and Bihar resulting from illegal infiltration and was taking steps to strengthen border management and address security gaps.
Earlier in his address, Shah paid tribute to Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar on his death anniversary. He said Golwalkar, widely known as “Shri Guruji”, dedicated his life to nation-building, character-building and the preservation of Indian culture.
“Doing great work but never seeking recognition, he had immense dedication towards the development of the country, its security, culture, history, language and heritage, and inspired lakhs of karyakartas across the nation,” Shah said.
He added that Golwalkar laid a strong ideological foundation for cultural nationalism and promoted service as a key force in nation-building. His ideas on self-reliance and national resurgence, Shah said, continue to inspire younger generations.
Among those present at the event were Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Secretary (Border Management) Rajendra Kumar, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar and BSF Tripura Frontier Inspector General Alok Chakraborty.
(With inputs from IANS)
