The National Intelligence Grid’s (NATGRID) push for greater engagement by state police forces underlines the critical need for real-time, technology-driven intelligence sharing in today’s complex security landscape. As criminal and terror networks increasingly operate across state and national boundaries, law enforcement can no longer rely on fragmented, region-specific data. Instead, a centralised and dynamic database like NATGRID is not just helpful-it is essential. Conceptualised after the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, NATGRID was designed to overcome the then-exposed limitations in intelligence sharing. One of the key handicaps in tracking terrorists like David Headley was the absence of a platform that could provide real-time access to information across agencies. This deficiency cost the country dearly, not only in human lives but also in national confidence. Since its revival and with the active support of the MHA, NATGRID has grown to incorporate more than 20 categories of data-from banking and railways to immigration and financial transactions. Now accessible to 11 central agencies and all state police forces, this Rs 3,400 crore project represents a bold investment in India’s internal security architecture.
However, the real value of NATGRID lies not just in its existence but in its use. The recent push to encourage police chiefs to boost usage is timely and necessary. It is commendable that states like Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Assam are leading in system usage. Yet, this should be the norm, not the exception. Each state must treat data input and access as a core policing function. Equally important is the contribution of local criminal data. Most criminal actors today are not confined to a district or even a single state-they function in interstate and sometimes transnational networks. Whether it’s drug trafficking, counterfeit currency, human trafficking, or terror financing, these activities require coordinated, cross-jurisdictional responses. Loading robust, verified local intelligence into NATGRID would vastly enhance its capability to preempt and neutralise threats before they escalate. NATGRID is not a passive tool-it is a dynamic crime-fighting weapon. The infrastructure exists; now the onus is on the states and UTs to transform it into a force multiplier for India’s security.
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