Inauguration of smart fence on September 17

JAMMU: After crossing three deadlines, India’s pilot project of ‘smart fence’ on the International Border is all set for inauguration by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on September 17.

According to the sources, the smart fences in first phase of the project, which began on 5.3km and 5.5km stretch along Samba sector of Jammu border in early 2017, was supposed to be inaugurated in April this year. However, June and August 2018 were stated as revised deadlines for the project. A senior BSF officer said, “The Home Minister is coming to inaugurate it on September 17 and he will be briefed about the project during his visit.”

BSF director general KK Sharma had told HT in May this year, “The smart fencing pilot projects in two stretches were nearing completion and we hope to get them inaugurated by the Home Minister shortly.”

Sharma said that there is a roll out plan in place, to be implemented in phases, to completely secure the border with Pakistan.

“Technology certainly gives an advantage. This technology catches body heat signatures from a distance of 3km. Tech is a force multiplier and we feel the future of border guarding lies in technology. We will induct it in a big way,” he had said.

The second phase will cover the entire stretch of 198km long International Border.

The technology-aided smart fence has sensors along the International Border. It will effectively check intruders who enter Jammu and Kashmir.