(Image source from: orfonline.org)

India is in plans in setting up high-tech surveillance cameras along the Line of Actual Control with China s it also focuses on the establishment of war-time and weather-proof aircraft shelters in the North-East.

A report of the Standing Committee on Defence has been presented to the Lok Sabha speaker on Friday through which the developments were known. The Committee explained that, during its visit to the eastern sector of India from November 4-9, a request for state-of-the-art surveillance cameras was made and that around 16 cameras were required for the posts. A request has also been made for the necessity of cameras along the northern borders as well.

The request is being considered in two ways. The first being the central procurement which meets the complete requirement but it is time-taking. The second way is the Army Commanders’ Special Financial Powers Fund which meets immediate operational requirements until the central procurement is materialized. However, despite granting the special powers to the army commanders, the cameras were not installed at the required places.

“It is desired that the immediate requirement for surveillance equipment at the Eastern Command and northern borders, including Nathu la post, must be fulfilled at the earliest. Also, the complete requirement of the surveillance equipment must be attended to through central procurement as the border areas are sensitive in nature...No stones shall be left unturned in order to develop a fool proof border line,” the Committee stated.

The paucity of the aircraft shelters in the Indian Air Force (AIF) have been pointed out by the Committee. The aircraft shelters protect the aircraft from the bombing raids, dust and birds as well. The committee has been informed the making of aircraft shelters in a systematic manner by the IAF.the plan with the defence ministry is currently focusing on the North-East where as prior to this, the focus was more on Pakistan. Two types of shelters are being made by the IAF that includes the one that is hardened and protects the aircraft from bombs and is of the new generation. The other is the sun shelter which helps in protecting the aircraft from rain and other weather conditions.

By Shrithika Kushangi