National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) or NIG is likely to be ready by 2020, a mechanism that is related to immigration, banking transactions and air or train travels is likely to be ready by 2020, officials revealed. NATGRID was originally set up to track all terror suspects and prevent terrorist attacks with real-time data. “In all probability, the NATGRID will start functioning from early next year,” a Home Ministry official told PTI. Notably, the work on NIG was set up following the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, is credited for having accelerated the 3,400 crore project.

10 agencies with access to NATGRID

In the first phase,10 agencies will have access to NATGRID data in real-time. In the subsequent phases, 950 organisations likely to have access to it. The 10 agencies which will be able to access the NATGRID data on real-time basis are: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Directorate General of Central Excise and Intelligence (DGCEI) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

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NATGRID will have real-time data on banking transactions and immigration

"State agencies won't have access to NATGRID, however, if any information is needed, they can approach the NATGRID through any of the agencies. NATGRID will also have readily available data on banking transactions and immigration as both sectors are equipped with real-time mechanism,” another official revealed.

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Headquarter in Delhi 

“After Amit Shah took charge of the Home Ministry, he stressed the need for operationalisation of NATGRID as early as possible,” the official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also held a review meeting on NATGRID on June 10, 2016, the then Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi gave a detailed presentation on the ambitious project in the meeting.
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(with inputs from PTI)