Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a 'Smart Border' project to seal India's frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh using advanced technology.
The initiative aims to curb cross-border infiltration and protect national demographics by deploying drones and radars to monitor movement. The government intends to use these measures to identify and deport illegal migrants.
The project covers approximately 6,000 km [3] of frontier territory. This technological overhaul is designed to replace or augment traditional patrolling with a comprehensive electronic surveillance system.
Regarding the India-Bangladesh border, a specific 45-day deadline [1] has been set to complete fencing for a particular segment. This effort involves securing an area of 600 acres [2] to prevent unauthorized crossings.
While the overarching 'Smart Border' project focuses on long-term technological integration, the immediate fencing goal for the Bangladesh segment reflects an urgent push for physical barriers. The government said the combination of physical fencing and electronic monitoring is necessary to stop infiltration.
Experts have questioned the feasibility of the 45-day timeline for the fencing segment, citing the logistical challenges of the terrain. However, the ministry said the project remains a priority for national security.
“The project covers approximately 6,000 km of frontier territory.”
The shift toward a 'Smart Border' represents a transition from manual patrolling to a tech-centric security posture. By integrating drones and radars across 6,000 km of volatile borders, India is attempting to reduce human error and response times. The aggressive 45-day timeline for specific fencing segments suggests a high-pressure political or security mandate to stabilize the Bangladesh border quickly, despite technical skepticism regarding the timeframe.
