bengal-clears-105-acres-land-to-centre-for-border-fencing

The West Bengal government has in-principle approved the transfer of around 105 acres of land to the Centre for border fencing and the construction of border outposts (BOPs), official sources said on Monday, with the proposal now awaiting clearance from the state Cabinet.

The land will be handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) to facilitate fencing along a nearly 17-km stretch of the India-Bangladesh border and to set up nine BOPs in vulnerable areas.

A special ministerial group constituted to examine proposals involving the transfer of land to central agencies met at the state secretariat, Nabanna, on Friday and cleared the proposal in principle. The final decision, however, will be taken by the Cabinet.

“The proposal to hand over land to the BSF for border fencing and construction of border outposts was discussed in detail. It will now be placed before the Cabinet for final approval,” a senior official said.

According to administrative sources, the Centre had sought land from the state government to erect fencing along the 17-km stretch and to construct nine BOPs to strengthen surveillance and security infrastructure along the international boundary.

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Of the 105 acres identified, around 67 acres will be used for fencing the proposed stretch, while nearly 18 acres will be required for constructing the nine outposts. These parcels are currently owned by private individuals. The state government will purchase the land from the owners before transferring it to the BSF.

Once the Chief Minister’s Office clears the proposal, it will be placed before the Cabinet. After Cabinet approval, the district administration will begin discussions with landowners to acquire the required plots.

In addition, the ministerial group is expected to recommend the transfer of around 20 to 25 acres of government land in nine border-adjacent locations to
the BSF to further bolster security arrangements.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier entrusted the ministerial panel with examining proposals related to land transfer to central agencies, amid the need to balance state interests with national security concerns.

“The objective is to strengthen border infrastructure and enhance security arrangements in the area,” an official said.