Cooperative Federalism in Border Management: West Bengal’s Land Approval for BSF Fencing
GS2GS3
The West Bengal government has approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for constructing barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, marking a significant step in resolving long-standing security bottlenecks through Center-State cooperation.
In a significant development for India’s internal security framework, the West Bengal government has decided to facilitate land acquisition for the Border Security Force (BSF) to complete barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. This move addresses a long-standing hurdle in securing one of the world’s most complex and porous international boundaries.
The India-Bangladesh border stretches over 4,000 km, with West Bengal accounting for the largest share of approximately 2,217 km. Due to its riverine and densely populated nature, this border has historically been prone to illegal activities, including cattle smuggling, human trafficking, the influx of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), and illegal infiltration. While the Union Government, through the BSF, is mandated with border guarding, the acquisition of land—a State subject—has often been a point of administrative contention, leading to significant gaps in the physical barrier.
Continue reading — free with login
JeetoBharat publishes daily UPSC current affairs mapped to the Mains syllabus. Log in to read full articles.
Log in to read full articleNo credit card required. Free registered users get unlimited access.
This article was curated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical facts from official sources.