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.

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.

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.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS/2392