MHA setting up Space & Tech cell to track borders

NEW DELHI: Realising the need to have smart barriers to check intrusion from China and Pakistan, ministry of home affairs (MHA) is setting up a space and technology cell. The cell is expected to improve border management and help in operations.

ISRO and DRDO officials will be deputed to run the cell which would be set up within home ministry’s Border Management Division.

This is one of the new initiatives of the ministry which home secretary Rajiv Gauba is reviewing for expeditious implementation, an officer told ET on conditions of anonymity.


In consultation with ISRO and DRDO, the ministry has identified areas where space technology could be leveraged to put a check on suspicious activities around the 15,106.7 km land border and 7,516.6 km coastline with seven countries.

A task force constituted by home ministry under joint secretary (border management) had submitted its confidential report last September to secretary (space) and ISRO chairman which has somewhat become the template for harnessing space technology for border management and operational purposes too.