BJP Government in Bengal Clears Fast-Track Border Fencing Plan

Kolkata: In one of the first major policy decisions after assuming office, the BJP-led West Bengal government has announced a fast-track plan to transfer pending land parcels to the Border Security Force (BSF) for completion of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made the announcement after chairing the Cabinet’s first meeting on Monday. He said all land-related issues connected to border fencing would be resolved within 45 days, allowing security agencies to speed up construction work in vulnerable stretches.

The state government said strengthening border infrastructure was necessary to tackle infiltration, cattle smuggling, and other illegal cross-border activities.

According to officials, several fencing projects had remained stalled for years because of delays in land transfer and administrative clearances.

The BJP had strongly raised the border security issue during the Assembly election campaign, accusing the previous regime of neglecting national security concerns. Party leaders had promised immediate cooperation with central agencies if voted to power.

Sources in the administration said district authorities in border areas would soon receive instructions to identify pending cases and complete the transfer process on priority basis. Coordination meetings with BSF officials are also expected in the coming days.

West Bengal shares one of the country’s longest international borders with Bangladesh, making border management a politically and strategically sensitive issue. The new government’s decision is being seen as a major shift in approach toward coordination with central security forces.