𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

Security measures will be strengthened at scientific and technical facilities in border areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, including crucial Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) sites in Srinagar and Leh, according to a government statement.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to assess and enhance security at these facilities in light of current tensions.

The review covered installations like CSIR-IIIM (Jammu), CSIO (Chandigarh), CLRI (Jalandhar), IMTECH (Chandigarh), BRIC-NABI (Mohali), and IMD and Earth Sciences stations across sensitive regions. Singh highlighted the vital role these institutions play in weather forecasting, disaster management, and scientific research, making their protection a national priority.

All institutions have been instructed to upgrade security protocols and coordinate with district authorities. They are also required to develop emergency SOPs, train staff on response measures, and postpone exams and proposal deadlines to avoid disruption to academic and research activities.

Singh directed immediate reinforcement of security at key IMD centers and called for internal readiness, civil coordination, and morale-building activities. These include organizing blood donation drives, self-defense training, and mock drills across campuses.

Top science officials including DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar, DBT Secretary Rajesh Gokhale, CSIR Director General N. Kalaiselvi, and IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra attended the hybrid meeting.

The Minister concluded by instructing all departments to compile a comprehensive inventory of sensitive facilities and share it with national security agencies for enhanced protection.