The West Bengal government has begun an accelerated land acquisition drive along the India-Bangladesh border in Malda district after setting a 45-day deadline to complete the process for barbed-wire fencing and hand over the land to the Border Security Force (BSF).
The move comes amid renewed focus on border security along vulnerable unfenced stretches frequently linked to illegal infiltration, counterfeit currency circulation and the smuggling of narcotics and weapons.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said strict timelines had been fixed to expedite the long-pending fencing project, following which district authorities launched surveys and acquisition work on a war footing.
Focus on vulnerable unfenced stretches
Malda district shares a 172-km border with Bangladesh, of which nearly 33 km remains unfenced. Officials said the unfenced portions, including low-lying and riverine areas, have long posed security challenges for enforcement agencies.
The issue had also figured prominently during election campaigns, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah promising stronger border security measures.
For several years, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had sought land from the state government for construction of a three-tier fencing system, but progress remained slow.
Following recent administrative intervention, district officials have now intensified efforts to resolve the bottleneck.
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Survey work under way
Malda District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapur recently chaired a high-level review meeting with administrative officials and BSF personnel, after which land surveys began immediately in Habibpur block, which contains the longest unfenced border stretch.
Multiple teams from the Department of Land and Land Reforms have been deployed in villages including Bhavanipur and Agra Harishchandrapur to carry out demarcation work.
Officials estimate that nearly 260 acres of land will be required for the fencing project. Although Rs 52 crore had earlier been earmarked for land acquisition, only around 10 acres had reportedly been acquired until recently.
Authorities are now attempting to bridge the gap within the 45-day deadline.
Block Land and Land Reforms Officer Swapan Tarafdar said 29.3 km of unfenced border falls within Habibpur block and survey teams are working from dawn to dusk to complete the exercise.
Residents express support
Local residents in several border villages have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the fencing would curb cross-border crime and improve security.
Ananta Mandal, a farmer from Bhavanipur village, said his family had agreed to part with land for the project in the interest of national security.
Another resident, Gopal Das, said the absence of fencing had exposed villagers to cattle smuggling, theft and frequent insecurity for years.
Residents also said the fencing could ease difficulties faced by farmers in accessing agricultural land located near the border.
Officials said compensation procedures for affected landowners would begin shortly, while the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is expected to undertake the construction work.
Authorities believe completion of the fencing project will significantly strengthen border surveillance, curb illegal activities and provide long-awaited relief to residents living along the sensitive frontier.
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