EXCLUSIVE
Amid growing concerns over border security, Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General of the Meghalaya Frontier, O.P. Upadhyay, informed Meghalaya News 24 that fencing work along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya has begun in several areas and is progressing at a “satisfactory” pace. However, he revealed that approximately 59 kilometres of the international border still remains unfenced due to a mix of administrative, technical, and local-level challenges.
“We are very much sincere about the early erection of the border fencing,” said Upadhyay, stressing that the momentum has picked up in various zones. “Some positive developments are expected. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya is keenly and very actively monitoring the progress, and so is the Ministry of Home Affairs. Our leadership, both in Kolkata and Delhi, is actively monitoring the fencing.”
The BSF IG said that in areas where work has started—such as Nanjuri, Nayabazar, Lyngkhat, and Tuka in East Khasi Hills; Rongtila in West Jaintia Hills; and parts of Harai and Hugaria in East Jaintia Hills—the progress is satisfactory and likely to be completed within the next three to four months. “In certain cases, the fencing is going on and we are able to remove some impediments, but we are hopeful that the stretches which are without fencing very soon will be getting some positive result and we will be able to erect the fencing at a faster pace,” he said.
He noted, however, that some critical patches—including the stretch from Muktapur to Jaliakhola—are yet to see substantial movement due to issues like tendering delays, estimate preparation, equipment mobilisation, and resistance from certain sections of the local population. “In some patches, the local population is not forthcoming to have an early erection of the fencing,” he said.
Urging public cooperation, Upadhyay added, “I have appealed to the border population to co-operate. I have also met with the respective state officials. They are also looking into this important aspect, and everybody is on the same platform, trying to remove all the impediments.”
Despite the challenges, the IG remains optimistic that with strong coordination between the Centre, State, and BSF leadership, the remaining gaps will be closed. “With the patronage of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, we will be able to remove these impediments and we’ll be able to erection of fencing in the complete Meghalaya border.”
Asked to confirm the unfenced length, Upadhyay said, “I think it is around 59 kilometre of the border roughly. Roughly, around 59 kilometres of the border is unfinished.”
