Blab Tech
Haryana to Expand Tower-Based Mobile Blocking After Successful Ambala Jail Pilot
In a move aimed at tightening prison security, the Haryana government announced plans to deploy a tower‑based mobile‑blocking system across its correctional facilities after a successful pilot at Ambala Central Jail. The technology, known as the Tower Harmonics Call Blocking System (T‑HCBS), was tested in Ambala in early September 2026 and reportedly prevented unauthorized mobile calls and internet access within the jail’s perimeter.
The pilot was carried out under the direction of the state’s Prisons Department, which evaluated the system’s effectiveness in a high‑security environment. According to reports, the T‑HCBS uses specialised towers installed inside prison premises to detect and control specific mobile devices. Unlike conventional jammers that indiscriminately block all cellular signals, the system can target only the devices that are not authorized, thereby limiting disruption to legitimate connectivity outside the prison.
"The government will make maximum use of modern technology to strengthen prison security," said Dr Arvind Sharma, the minister of Prisons, Tourism and Elections. The statement was made during a briefing in Chandigarh on 6 September 2026. The minister emphasized that the new system would complement existing physical searches and surveillance measures.
Haryana currently operates 21 prisons spread across 18 districts. The state’s prisons department is now assessing the technical feasibility of extending the T‑HCBS to other facilities. The department’s assessment will consider factors such as the size of the prison, the layout of the compound, and the existing telecommunications infrastructure.
The pilot at Ambala was conducted in a controlled environment where the system was able to identify and block calls, messages and data traffic from unauthorized mobile phones. The results were deemed satisfactory by the department’s technical team, which reported that the system did not interfere with the cellular network used by staff and visitors outside the jail.
The decision to expand the system statewide follows a broader effort by the Haryana government to modernise its correctional infrastructure. Earlier this year, the state announced the installation of 24/7 CCTV monitoring, motion sensors and new standard operating procedures in six prisons. The mobile‑blocking initiative is part of a multi‑layered strategy to prevent inmates from maintaining illicit communication channels.
While the T‑HCBS is still in the evaluation phase for other prisons, the state has already begun procurement discussions with the system’s manufacturer. The procurement process will include a review of the system’s compliance with national telecommunications regulations and an assessment of its impact on the broader cellular network.
The use of tower‑based blocking technology is not unique to Haryana. Similar systems have been deployed in other Indian states and in international correctional facilities. However, the T‑HCBS is noted for its selective blocking capability, which distinguishes it from older jamming devices that can cause widespread service outages.
The Haryana government has not yet set a timeline for the rollout of the system in other prisons. Officials said that the next steps would involve detailed site surveys, technical integration with existing infrastructure, and coordination with telecom operators.
The expansion of the T‑HCBS is expected to address a long‑standing challenge in Indian prisons: the use of unauthorized mobile phones by inmates to coordinate activities outside the facility. By limiting the ability of inmates to make calls or access the internet, the system aims to reduce the risk of contraband smuggling, gang coordination and other security threats.
As of now, no legal or regulatory hurdles have been identified that would prevent the deployment of the system. The state’s Prisons Department has indicated that it will seek guidance from the Ministry of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications to ensure compliance with national standards.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among Indian states to incorporate advanced telecommunications solutions into prison security protocols. Whether the T‑HCBS will prove effective in a broader range of facilities remains to be seen, but the Ambala pilot provides a promising precedent for future deployments.
In the coming weeks, the Haryana government is expected to release further details on the procurement process, the technical specifications of the system, and the projected cost of scaling the solution across the state’s prisons.
The move comes at a time when prison overcrowding and security concerns remain high in India. According to the latest data, Haryana’s prisons were operating above capacity in 2025, with a total of 21,612 inmates housed in facilities designed for 20,293 people. The state’s efforts to modernise its correctional infrastructure are part of a broader national strategy to improve prison conditions and reduce recidivism.
The T‑HCBS rollout will be monitored closely by both state officials and independent observers to assess its impact on prison security and on the broader telecommunications environment.
The pilot was carried out under the direction of the state’s Prisons Department, which evaluated the system’s effectiveness in a high‑security environment. According to reports, the T‑HCBS uses specialised towers installed inside prison premises to detect and control specific mobile devices. Unlike conventional jammers that indiscriminately block all cellular signals, the system can target only the devices that are not authorized, thereby limiting disruption to legitimate connectivity outside the prison.
"The government will make maximum use of modern technology to strengthen prison security," said Dr Arvind Sharma, the minister of Prisons, Tourism and Elections. The statement was made during a briefing in Chandigarh on 6 September 2026. The minister emphasized that the new system would complement existing physical searches and surveillance measures.
Haryana currently operates 21 prisons spread across 18 districts. The state’s prisons department is now assessing the technical feasibility of extending the T‑HCBS to other facilities. The department’s assessment will consider factors such as the size of the prison, the layout of the compound, and the existing telecommunications infrastructure.
The pilot at Ambala was conducted in a controlled environment where the system was able to identify and block calls, messages and data traffic from unauthorized mobile phones. The results were deemed satisfactory by the department’s technical team, which reported that the system did not interfere with the cellular network used by staff and visitors outside the jail.
The decision to expand the system statewide follows a broader effort by the Haryana government to modernise its correctional infrastructure. Earlier this year, the state announced the installation of 24/7 CCTV monitoring, motion sensors and new standard operating procedures in six prisons. The mobile‑blocking initiative is part of a multi‑layered strategy to prevent inmates from maintaining illicit communication channels.
While the T‑HCBS is still in the evaluation phase for other prisons, the state has already begun procurement discussions with the system’s manufacturer. The procurement process will include a review of the system’s compliance with national telecommunications regulations and an assessment of its impact on the broader cellular network.
The use of tower‑based blocking technology is not unique to Haryana. Similar systems have been deployed in other Indian states and in international correctional facilities. However, the T‑HCBS is noted for its selective blocking capability, which distinguishes it from older jamming devices that can cause widespread service outages.
The Haryana government has not yet set a timeline for the rollout of the system in other prisons. Officials said that the next steps would involve detailed site surveys, technical integration with existing infrastructure, and coordination with telecom operators.
The expansion of the T‑HCBS is expected to address a long‑standing challenge in Indian prisons: the use of unauthorized mobile phones by inmates to coordinate activities outside the facility. By limiting the ability of inmates to make calls or access the internet, the system aims to reduce the risk of contraband smuggling, gang coordination and other security threats.
As of now, no legal or regulatory hurdles have been identified that would prevent the deployment of the system. The state’s Prisons Department has indicated that it will seek guidance from the Ministry of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications to ensure compliance with national standards.
The initiative reflects a growing trend among Indian states to incorporate advanced telecommunications solutions into prison security protocols. Whether the T‑HCBS will prove effective in a broader range of facilities remains to be seen, but the Ambala pilot provides a promising precedent for future deployments.
In the coming weeks, the Haryana government is expected to release further details on the procurement process, the technical specifications of the system, and the projected cost of scaling the solution across the state’s prisons.
The move comes at a time when prison overcrowding and security concerns remain high in India. According to the latest data, Haryana’s prisons were operating above capacity in 2025, with a total of 21,612 inmates housed in facilities designed for 20,293 people. The state’s efforts to modernise its correctional infrastructure are part of a broader national strategy to improve prison conditions and reduce recidivism.
The T‑HCBS rollout will be monitored closely by both state officials and independent observers to assess its impact on prison security and on the broader telecommunications environment.
