West Bengal Ichamati River Border: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced plans to install barbed-wire fencing along a 71-kilometre stretch of the Ichamati River to improve security along the India-Bangladesh border. The state government has handed over the required land for the project and will now get its Irrigation and Water Resources Department to carry out the work.
Adhikari made the announcement during his visit to a Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday. He visited the camp during Diwali and spent time with the security personnel posted near the international border.
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Ichamati River Border To Get 71-Km Barbed-Wire Fencing
During the visit, Adhikari travelled to a floating jetty on the Ichamati River. He used binoculars to look across the river and check the situation near the international border.
He also spoke about people waiting for an opportunity to cross the border when security personnel move away from their positions. Assuring the BSF personnel, he said:
“They are lying in wait to infiltrate the moment the BSF shifts slightly. But don’t fear. Fencing will be done along the Ichamati. The state government has already provided the land. There were some complications with this 71-kilometre project, and since the CPWD was unwilling to carry it out, we have tasked the Irrigation and Water Resources Department with the job.”
The project was earlier expected to be handled by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). But after it declined to take up the work, the state government decided to give the responsibility to its irrigation department.
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During the same visit, Adhikari also announced a new award called ‘Simanta Mitra’ for personnel working to protect India’s borders. The award will start in 2027 and will recognise the work of BSF, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and West Bengal Police personnel.
He said he had discussed the plan with BSF Inspector General Daljit Singh. BSF officials will help decide who deserves the award. It will be given to personnel who make important contributions to border security.
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Adhikari said, “Similar honours exist in other border states, and the state government will now implement a comparable recognition from 2027.”
Adhikari Apologises To BSF, Criticises Previous TMC Government
The Chief Minister also spoke about the relationship between the BSF and the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee. He accused the former government of making insulting comments about the BSF and not providing enough land for border fencing.
He also apologised to the security personnel for the earlier government’s behaviour towards the BSF and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
“I, as the chief minister of the state, apologise to you for the derogatory remarks and behaviour of the previous regime towards BSF and CRPF.”
Adhikari further claimed that the previous government had failed to provide the land needed for fencing nearly 600 km of the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. The issue had delayed several border security projects.
The BSF is responsible for guarding India’s international border with Bangladesh. Better fencing and security arrangements are important in areas where the border is difficult to monitor.
