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West Bengal: BSF to fence 110 km stretch after decade-long wait
West Bengal’s state cabinet approved land transfers to fence about 110 km along the Indo-Bangladesh border, with stretches in Cooch Behar, Malda, North 24 Parganas, and Dakshin Dinajpur. The move follows years of land-handover delays by the state government, which BSF officials say hinder border fencing and aid crime. The article also provides context on fencing progress and border administration.
Why It Matters
This decision could accelerate border fencing along major sensitive stretches, addressing long-standing delays that affected security operations along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Timeline
9 Events
BSF on border policing and investigative powers
May 11, 2026
BSF officials said they hope the new government will review postings of police officers at border stations; they noted that BSF does not have investigation powers and has handed over infiltrators to police in probes.
National border context with Bangladesh
May 11, 2026
India shares a 4,096.7 km border with Bangladesh; Bengal accounts for the longest stretch at 2,216.7 km.
Border fencing status in West Bengal context
May 11, 2026
Of West Bengal’s total 2,216.7 km border, 1,647 km is fenced; topography prevents fencing along approximately 180 km.
Stretches identified for fencing in key districts
May 11, 2026
The longest pending stretches include 41.9 km in Cooch Behar, 31.8 km in Malda, 21.5 km in North 24 Parganas, and 14.5 km in Dakshin Dinajpur.
State cabinet approves land transfers to pave the way for 110 km of fencing
May 11, 2026
The West Bengal state cabinet decided to transfer land to enable fencing along several stretches totaling about 110 km, including 41.9 km in Cooch Behar, 31.8 km in Malda, 21.5 km in North 24 Parganas, and 14.5 km in Dakshin Dinajpur.
BSF highlights delays as major setback to border fencing
May 11, 2026
BSF officials said delays in land handovers hampered border fencing and aided criminals; the BSF’s Eastern Command and the Union ministry pursued the issue.
TMC land transfer pace cited as a factor in delays
2013
Officials state that the TMC government handed over less than 200 km of land for fencing in 13 years.
By 2013, almost 80% of Bengal’s border was fenced
2013
Officials say almost 80% of West Bengal’s Indo-Bangladesh border was fenced before the TMC came to power in 2013.
Fence construction along the Indo-Bangladesh border began
1986
The article notes that fence construction along the Indo-Bangladesh border began in 1986.