After a lengthy period of interruptions lasting nearly two decades, fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is now progressing significantly. The Border Security Force (BSF) is optimistic that the entire 443-km stretch will be completed by the end of 2026, representing a crucial step in bolstering border security. Inspector General (IG) Upadhyay reported that approximately 20 km of fencing was finalized and made operational in the previous year. However, this progress has been hindered by various challenges, including ongoing legal disputes, objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and pushback from local communities. Despite these barriers, the BSF has successfully completed land acquisition for an additional 21 km of fencing, with work scheduled to commence shortly.
The IG expressed confidence that by the target year of 2026, all existing gaps in the border fencing will be closed. He also noted that requests for zero-line fencing—placing the fence directly on the international boundary—cannot be fulfilled due to existing international agreements and the difficult landscape of the region. In efforts to further secure the border, the BSF is implementing modern surveillance technologies in areas deemed vulnerable. Although some existing segments of the fencing have suffered damage, repairs are actively being carried out using enhanced designs and more robust construction mechanisms.