Lok Sabha Question No. 2392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: International Border Fencing
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Saleng A Sangma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2392

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

INTERNATIONAL BORDER FENCING

2392. SHRI SALENG A SANGMA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  current  status  of  the  international  border  fencing  along  the  IndiaBangladesh  border  in  Meghalaya,  including  the  areas  covered,  progress  of ongoing work and any challenges faced in completing the fencing project;

(b) whether the Government is considering deploying additional border security personnel or adopting advanced surveillance technology in areas where physical fencing may not be feasible keeping in view the security concerns along the IndiaBangladesh border in Meghalaya;

(c) whether the Government has outlined any recent discussions or agreements with the Government of Bangladesh to improve border security and cooperation to mitigate cross-border issues such as smuggling and unauthorized crossings; and

(d) if so, whether there is a timeline for the completion of the remaining fencing along  the  Meghalaya-Bangladesh  border,  and  budgetary  allocations  that  have been made for this project in the current fiscal year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): The total length of Indo-Bangladesh Border in Meghalaya is 443 km, out of which  367.155 km length of International border has been covered by fence. Fence  work  is  in  progress  in  19.759  km.  The  challenges  faced in  completing the  feasible  stretches  of   fencing   projects  relate  to  land acquisition, Border

Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objections, limited working season and land slide/marshy land in the state.

(b): Yes.  The  border  security  of  non-feasible  stretch  is  ensured  by  using technological equipment such as Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night vision Device (NVD), Twin Telescope, upgradation of intelligence setup and enhanced coordination with the State Governments/concerned intelligence agencies and by employing additional manpower.

(c) & (d): Issues  relating  to  border  security  management  and  cooperation  to mitigate  cross-border  issues  are  discussed  with  Bangladesh  through  bilateral institutional mechanisms such as Director General-Level Talks between Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh and Joint Working Group on Security and Border Infrastructure. Moreover, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is constantly  engaged  in  dialogue  through  directives  of  Coordinated  Border Management Plan (CBMP) which include simultaneous coordinated day and night patrolling,  pillar  checking,  flag  meetings,  reporting  of  border  violations  and sharing of information which aims to synergize efforts between both the forces to control cross-border crimes and maintain peace. Government has been persistent in its efforts to remove obstacles and ensure timely completion. In the current financial  year  (FY  2024-25),  the  budget  allocation  for  Indo-Bangladesh  fence works is Rs. 299.58 crore out of which, Rs. 19.54 crore has been released to the Executive Agencies for Meghalaya.

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