New Delhi: The government of West Bengal has intensified efforts to strengthen border security by accelerating the construction of Border Security Force outposts and barbed wire fencing along sensitive stretches of the India Bangladesh border, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Thursday.
Sharing details of the initiative on social media platform X, Adhikari said the state government had handed over additional land to the Border Security Force for fencing and related infrastructure projects. According to him, the total land allotted so far has reached 142.79 acres.
The Chief Minister described the development as a “significant milestone” in the state government’s broader border security plan, which was approved during the first cabinet meeting held after the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the government in Bengal following its Assembly election victory.
A detailed report shared along with the announcement showed that Murshidabad received the highest land allocation for fencing related work at 38.805 acres. It was followed by Jalpaiguri with 35.165 acres and Cooch Behar with 22.95 acres. The government stated that the initiative is part of a larger target of handing over 600 acres of land within 45 days to support border infrastructure projects.
West Bengal shares a 2,216 kilometre border with Bangladesh, making it the Indian state with the longest international boundary with the neighbouring country. Border management and concerns over illegal infiltration became major political issues during the recent Assembly elections, with the BJP repeatedly criticising the previous administration over alleged lapses in controlling cross border movement.
Following its rise to power in the state, the BJP government launched a campaign focused on identifying and deporting suspected undocumented Bangladeshi migrants. As part of the crackdown, designated holding centres have reportedly been established in several districts to detain individuals suspected of residing in the state illegally.
The latest measures are expected to further strengthen surveillance and security arrangements along the sensitive border regions of Bengal.
