After nearly twenty years of intermittent interruptions, fencing along the Indo–Bangladesh border in Meghalaya has gathered pace once again. The BSF now expects the entire 443-km stretch to be fenced by the end of 2026, marking a major milestone in strengthening border security. IG Upadhyay revealed that around 20 km of fencing was completed and made operational last year. The progress, however, has not come without obstacles—legal disputes, objections raised by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and resistance from local communities have all contributed to delays. Nevertheless, land acquisition for another 21 km of fencing has been completed, and work is set to begin soon.
“By 2026, we are confident that all gaps will be closed,” the IG said. He clarified that demands for zero-line fencing, which would place the fence exactly on the international boundary, cannot be accommodated due to international agreements and the rugged terrain. To enhance border security further, the BSF is deploying modern surveillance equipment across vulnerable stretches. While some parts of the existing fencing have been damaged, repair work using stronger designs and improved mechanisms is underway.
