High-Tech Watchtower: Facial Recognition at the India-Nepal Border

The Sashastra Seema Bal has initiated a trial of a facial recognition system at the India-Nepal border in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. Designed to expedite identification, the system has faced privacy concerns but promises efficiency for frequent cross-border travelers. Its future depends on trial results and stakeholder feedback.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has launched a new facial recognition system at the India-Nepal border's Jhulaghat bridge in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. This initiative aims to streamline the identification process for citizens crossing the border and is currently being tested on a trial basis for a month.

SSB Commandant Ashish Kumar highlighted that the system is particularly beneficial for individuals frequently crossing for business, religious, or familial reasons, including attendees of Nepal's Tripura Sundari Devi worship. Linked to closed-circuit cameras connected to the director general's office, the system provides rapid identification within 10 seconds, a significant improvement over previous methods.

Concerns about privacy and identity misuse have been raised, as noted by Yogesh Bhatt, president of the Jhulaghat Traders Association. The trial period will evaluate these aspects while taking into account the opinions of local traders and other stakeholders before determining the system's future.

(With inputs from agencies.)