Context:

• United States President Joe Biden stopped the construction of the “border wall” between the U.S. and Mexico.
• An alternative has been offered — a ‘smart’ wall that replaces the physical and armed patrolling with advanced surveillance tech is the proposed future of border security now.

Smart Walls:

• The ‘smart wall’ technology could solve border security issues without the need for a physical barrier.
• The wall would use sensors, radars, and surveillance technology to detect and track border break-ins, and technology capable of performing the most difficult tasks dedicated to border security.

Not a new concept

• The U.S.-Mexico border wall proposed by Donald Trump envisaged this concept.
• A technology firm was sought to be hired by the Trump administration, and it was indicated that artificial intelligence shall be used at a novel scale to complement the steel barrier (border wall) project of Mr. Trump.
• It was stated that hundreds of mobile surveillance towers would be deployed, and along with them, the complete system of a virtual wall would consist of a radar satellite, computer-equipped border-control vehicles, control sensors and underground sensors.
• Along with surveillance towers and cameras, thermal imaging would be used, which would help in the detection of objects.
• The system would even be capable of distinguishing between animals, humans, and vehicles, and then sending updates to handheld mobile devices of the U.S. patrol agents.

Other benefits

• A critical factor that must be considered to enable the usage of such a system along Indian borders is that the terrain in the region is rugged, and, furthermore, not even clearly defined.
• Hence, erecting fences, walls or any physical structures is extremely difficult.
• A “smart” wall, however, makes use of systems that would be designed in such a way that they can operate even in rugged areas.
• Imperatively, in the U.S., various other benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, less damage to the environment, fewer land seizures, and speedier deployment are being noted that give the “smart wall” concept an edge over traditional physical borders.
• Notably, such a system, even if not feasible for our long boundaries, may still be deployed to enhance critical security establishments of the country and complement the already-existing physical fencing and walls.
• The attack on the Pathankot Air Force base highlighted that often, it may become difficult to secure establishments due to their vast size.
• Further, it is imperative for Indian armed forces to be well-equipped and simultaneously have the latest technological advantage over its enemies.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/smart-walls-for-indian-borders/article33744795.ece

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