Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System
In the aftermath of Pathankot attack, the government had okayed a plan to stop infiltration on 2900 kilometres western border with Pakistan under the name Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
- Any person trying to enter India from Gujarat to J&K can be tracked by multiple technologies including round-the-clock surveillance through sophisticated technology, Thermal image and night-vision devices, battlefield surveillance radar, underground monitoring sensors etc.
- All unfenced 130 riverine sections on 2900 kilometer border will be covered using laser batteries.
The cost of this project is slated to be Rs. 1 crore per kilometer. There are two pilot project already running in Jammu and Punjab. The entire border will be covered with hi-tech systems in two years and 50-60 private companies are expected to take up these projects. A control room will be set up after every 5-6 kilometres. Wherever any activity will be noticed, BSF men will be alerted.
Current Status
The forces are already using CCTV cameras, night thermal imagers and sensors in sensitive areas. But the technology used is not superior. More than 1.5 Lakh flood lights have been installed on 50000 polls by government on border to track the movement along borders using binoculars.
Important component of the CIBMS is the use of satellite imagery, which would help the security forces to find out details of the terrain and fortifications across the border. It would also help in planning operations and for infrastructure development. We note that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) is a regular user of satellite imagery. However, an issue with satellite imagery is that it may not provide real time information about a location, keeping in view the time taken by a satellite to orbit around the earth. Therefore, there are plans to employ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) also.
