New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has outlined an ambitious plan to strengthen India’s border security architecture through advanced technology, infrastructure upgrades, and greater community participation while inaugurating two Border Security Force (BSF) border outposts in Gujarat’s Bhuj region.
The minister interacted with BSF personnel stationed in the border area and said the government is working towards creating a more comprehensive security framework that combines surveillance technology, physical infrastructure, and coordination among multiple agencies.
Accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and top BSF leadership, Shah praised the force for operating in some of the country’s most demanding environments.
He noted that BSF personnel have spent six decades guarding India’s most challenging frontiers, serving in conditions ranging from freezing temperatures in the north to scorching desert regions in the west.
According to Shah, the force has carried out its responsibilities across diverse terrains, including Kashmir, Rajasthan, Kutch, the Sundarbans, Gangasagar, Meghalaya, and Assam.
Highlighting the force’s contribution to national security, Shah said around 2,000 BSF personnel have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty since the organisation’s formation.
The minister said the government has launched initiatives to improve public awareness about the role of the BSF. A visitor centre established in Banaskantha has attracted more than 2.5 lakh visitors in the past month, offering insights into the challenges faced by border guards.
Feedback collected from visitors has shown growing public appreciation for the force, with many expressing a desire to see their children join the BSF, according to an official statement.
Focusing on border infrastructure, Shah said a review conducted after he assumed office identified gaps in security preparedness in the Sir Creek and Harami Nala regions. In response, the government initiated work on watchtowers, roads, drinking water facilities, medical support systems, accommodation, and fencing to strengthen security along the sensitive stretch.
He said the objective is to create a “leak-proof” security network and expressed confidence that the region would be comprehensively secured within the next two years.
According to Shah, the government has prioritised the use of technology and infrastructure development to reduce operational challenges faced by personnel deployed in remote border locations. He said new watchtowers have been built and key installations elevated above ground level to improve security and operational effectiveness.
The minister also announced plans to redefine India’s border management strategy. As the BSF marks its 60th year, the government is preparing to move beyond traditional border guarding and introduce a broader “territorial security” approach involving local communities, civil administration, police forces, and security agencies working alongside the BSF.
He said the Smart Border Security Project is being implemented with investments worth thousands of crores of rupees. The initiative includes the deployment of drones, radars, modern surveillance systems, and advanced monitoring infrastructure aimed at strengthening border protection.
Shah further said the government is examining the possibility of assigning additional responsibilities to the BSF. Referring to the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, he said incomplete fencing has remained a key weakness in the security grid. He added that progress has recently been made in land allocation for fencing projects, which would help accelerate efforts to curb infiltration.
