Lok Sabha Question No. 1554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-12
Subject: Use of Space Technology for Border Management
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., DHARMENDRA YADAV, RANJANBEN BHATT, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1554

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/ MAGHA 23, 1940 (SAKA)

## USE OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR BORDER MANAGEMENT

1554.

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  formed  a  Task  Force  to  identify areas for use of Space Technology in improving Border Management and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has  consulted  all  stakeholders including Border Guarding Forces (BGFs), ISRO, National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) to finalize the report;
- (c) if so, the details of the areas identified for use of space technology;
- (d) whether the Union Government has prepared long term and short term plans for implementation of Space  Technology  in improving Border Management and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  extent  to  which  this  project  will  strengthen  island  and  border security and  facilitate development  of  infrastructure  in  border/island areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1554 FOR 12.02.209

(a): Yes Madam.  Union  Government  has  formed  a  Task  Force for identifying areas for use of space technology in improving border management  headed by Joint Secretary (Border Management)  with members from Border Guarding Forces (BGFs) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

(b): The  Task  Force  consulted  all  stake  holders  including  BGFs,  ISRO, National  Security  Council  Secretariat  (NSCS)  and  Ministry  of  Defence (MoD) before finalising the report.

(c): Details  of  the  areas  identified  for  use  of  space  technology  are  as under:-

(i) Island development and security

(ii) Border Surveillance

(iii) Communication and Navigation

(iv) GIS and Operations Planning System

(v) Border Infrastructure Monitoring

(d): For  phase  wise  implementation  of  the  report,  a  short,  medium  and long term plan has been prepared. Details are as under:

L.S.US.Q.NO. 1554 FOR 12.02.209

| Term        | Actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Amount    | Timeline    |
|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-------------|
| Short Term  | Establishment of network infrastructure and computing requirements for all CAPFs, hiring of transponders for satellite communication and procurement of satellite data for immediate operational use of the forces.                                                                                      | 130 Crore | One year    |
| Medium Term | - Development of infrastructure and storage capacity for MHA, capacity building of CAPFs. - Launch of one satellite for exclusive use of MHA by ISRO and establishment of ground segment to receive inputs from satellite. - Operationalization of COPS/ BOPS Software developed jointly by ISRO/ CAPFs. | 80 Crore  | Three years |
| Long Term   | Launch of additional satellites as per need, up gradation of ground segment, full operationlisation of COPS/BOPS software, Capacity building of CAPFs for using space technology.                                                                                                                        | 70 Crore  | Five Years  |

(e): This  project  will  strengthen  island  and  border  security  by  providing observation, communication and navigation capability to border guarding and internal security forces in remote areas.  It will  also  help  Ministry  of Home  Affairs  in  planning  and  monitoring  of  development  of  border  and island infrastructure.

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