international border

Rajnath in J&K to inaugurate ‘smart’ border fence, to visit IB

by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics

New Delhi : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate two pilot projects of “smart” border fencing built under the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) programme.

He will also visit the forward areas near the International Border (IB) in Jammu.

“Leaving for Jammu on a day long visit. Shall inaugurate two pilot under CIBMS in Jammu sector and also visit the forward areas near the International Border,” the Minister tweeted before his departure.

The two projects, each covering a 5.5 km-border stretch along the IB in Jammu, are set to get a first-of-a-kind high-tech surveillance system that will create an invisible electronic barrier on land, water and even in air and underground, helping the Border Security Force (BSF) detect and foil infiltration bids in the most difficult terrains.

CIBMS involves deployment of a range of state-of-the-art surveillance technologies — thermal imagers, infra-red and laser-based intruder alarms that form an invisible land fence, aerostats for aerial surveillance, unattended ground sensors that can help detect intrusion bids through tunnels, radars, sonar systems to secure riverine borders, fibre-optic sensors and a command and control system that shall receive data from all surveillance device in real time.

The programme is a more robust border management system which is seamlessly integrating modern technology with human resource, a Home Ministry official said.

“Based on integrated border management system, this virtual fence would be first of its kind initiative in India,” said the official.

The officer said the CIBMS is designed to guard stretches where physical surveillance is not possible either due to inhospitable terrain or riverine borders.

—IANS

‘Upgraded China-Nepal border point to boost trade, tourism’

by admin | May 25, 2021 | World

China-Nepal border

Kathmandu : Trade and tourism between Nepal and China would be boosted after the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border crossing was upgraded into an international border point, according to the Himalayan country’s business leaders.

Following the upgrading, the border has been opened for international visitors, reports Xinhua news agency.

Following the closure of Tatopani-Khasa border crossing since the deadly April 2015 earthquake, Rasuwagadi-Kerung is the only operating trade point between the two countries.

“We are very much exited from the Chinese decision (to upgrade the border point) because we can now sell combined tourism package of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the international visitors,” Suman Pandey, chairman of Nepal Chapter of Pacific Asia Travel Association, told Xinhua.

While China is expected to expand its railway network to Rasuwagadi-Kerung within the next few years, Nepal has also planned to develop a railway from Kathmandu to Rasuwagadi.

“I hope both countries will prioritize infrastructure building in the border point following the upgrading,” Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua.

According to the traders, improved connectivity through the border point will contribute towards China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in May.

—IANS