AGARTALA, April 17 � The border fencing along the Indo-Bangla border in Tripura is likely to be completed by 2017, according to official sources.
The 851-km border was supposed to be fenced by 2013 but it could not be achieved due to various reasons. Now, the new target for completion of border fencing is 2017.
Of the total sanctioned Indo-Bangla borderline, an area covering 715 km has been fenced so far while work is in progress along 92 km and fencing work is yet to be taken up in the area covering 135 km.
On being asked about the delay in the project, a BSF official on Thursday said most of the uncovered border is dense forest and hilly terrain hindering the normal pace of works. Interestingly, the maximum unfenced border falls in the State�s eastern frontier � Kanchanpur, Gandacherra, Ganganagar and Longtharai Valley subdivision.
Besides geographical hostility, short working season appears as a major bottleneck to complete the fencing work along the border area. However, days are not far when the entire Indo-Bangla border will have all-weather road.
�Fencing work can be executed from October to March while remaining months are not conducive for taking up construction work along the Indo-Bangla border�, said the official.
Another factor � estimated cost of barbed wire fencing also remains a problem for construction agencies. Of late, the estimated cost of the border fencing has been revised due to persistent demand by various construction agencies.
Now, almost all construction agencies want the estimated cost of fencing to be revised for the current financial year as cost of construction materials and labour charge would be higher in the days to come.
According to latest report, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the State Government to complete the fencing works by 2017. Side by side, installation of food lighting and construction of border road should also be completed during the period.
The MHA has already sanctioned 683 km Indo-Bangla border for flood lighting. Of the total sanctioned, installation of flood lighting along 582 km has already been completed while work is in progress along 83 km border.
