Isro to launch satellite to help MHA manage borders

NEW DELHI: Home ministry will soon have Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launch a satellite for its exclusive use and to help it manage borders more effectively. Satellite communications are also set to guide deployment of central paramilitary forces in remote and difficult areas.
The deployment of space technology for border security, island development and operational planning has been recommended by a taskforce set up earlier by the home ministry.Union home minister Rajnath Singh has now approved the taskforce's report that identifies island development, border security, communication and navigation, GIS and operations planning system and border infrastructure development as the key areas for use of space technology, the home ministry said.
To execute the initiative in a time-bound manner, short, medium and long-term plans have been proposed for implementation over five years, in close coordination with Isro and defence ministry.
In the short term, immediate needs of border guarding forces will be met by procurement of high resolution imagery and hiring of bandwidth for communications.
In the mid-term, one satellite is being launched by Isro for exclusive use of MHA.
Over the long term, home ministry 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 central forces in remote areas will be also coordinated by satellite communications. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based GPS will provide navigation facilities for operational parties in high altitude, remote/difficult borders and Naxal-affected areas.