ISRO to launch satellite to help MHA in securing borders

Mains Paper 3: Internal Security | Role of external state & non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Not Much

Mains level: Satellite technology and its prospects in securing Borders

A satellite will be launched by the ISRO exclusively for the Home Ministry to help it strengthen its frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh among others.

Securing Borders

The move is part of recommendations made by a task force on the use of space technology in improving border management which have been accepted by Home Minister.
To execute the project in a time bound manner, a short, medium and long-term plan has been proposed for implementation in five years in close coordination with the ISRO and the Defence Ministry.
Major recommendations of the report are to build capacity in border guarding forces to use space resources for security, operational planning and border infrastructure development.
In short term, immediate needs of border guarding forces will be met by procurement of high resolution imagery and the hiring of bandwidth for communications.
In mid-term, one satellite is being launched by the ISRO for exclusive use of the MHA.

Ground Network using space technology

The MHA will develop ground segment and network infrastructure to share satellite resources by user agencies, develop a central archival facility for storing various imagery resources and dissemination of the same to user agencies.
Deployment of the CAPF in remote areas will be also coordinated by satellite communications.
IRNSS-based GPS will provide navigation facilities for operational parties in high altitude, remote and difficult borders and LWE areas.
The Border Security Force has been designated as lead agency for implementation of ground segment and network infrastructure, including the establishment of the archival facility.
Island development, border security, communication and navigation, Geographic Information System (GIS) and operations planning system, and border infrastructure development are the areas identified for use of space technology.

A Special Task Force

The MHA has created a task force to identify areas for use of space technology in improving border management.
The task force headed by Joint Secretary (Border Management), having members from the BSF, the Department of Space and BM division of the Home Ministry.

Way Forward

India shares land borders with Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
This project will strengthen island and border security and facilitate development of infrastructure in border/island areas.