Unfenced Border with Bangladesh: West Bengal Government Faces High Court Scrutiny
The West Bengal government has been facing intense scrutiny from the Calcutta High Court over the issue of an unfenced border with Bangladesh. According to a reply affidavit filed by the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla, the state shares a border of 2,216.7 km with Bangladesh, with 78% of the feasible length already fenced.
- As per the affidavit, a total of 435.504 km remains to be covered by fencing, with 286.35 km pending due to land acquisition issues.
- The Union Home Secretary attributed the delay to the West Bengal government's complex Direct Land Purchase Policy, which hinders the timely completion of fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The matter reached the Calcutta High Court through a PIL petition filed by former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Subrata Saha. He highlighted the issue of unfenced borders passing through nine West Bengal districts and the resulting increase in crime related to narcotic drugs, infiltration, and other crimes.
- According to Lok Sabha data, 1,547 persons were apprehended along the international border while attempting to infiltrate into West Bengal in 2023, rising to 1,694 in 2024 and 723 till July 31, 2025.
- The petition also pointed out the seizure of 4,988.282 kg of drugs and narcotics worth Rs 43,197.44 lakh in 2023 and 3,145.606 kg worth Rs 46,107.67 lakh in 2024.
The Centre and the state government have been engaged in discussions to expedite the land acquisition and handing over the land to the Border Security Force (BSF). However, the state has opposed the prayer for interim direction, citing the engagement of revenue officers in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) procedure.
High Court Order and Deadline
On January 27, 2026, the Calcutta High Court classified the land for fencing into three categories and set a deadline for the transfer of the remaining land.
- For the 198.252 km already acquired but partially handed over to the BSF, the court directed the state to hand over the remaining portion at the earliest.
- For the land in the second category, the court directed the state to expedite the acquisition or purchase proceedings and hand over the land to the BSF.
- For the land in the third category, the court directed the state to start the acquisition or purchase process at the earliest.
However, the state failed to meet the March 31 deadline, and on April 22, the court imposed Rs 25,000 as costs on the officer who filed a sketchy report.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 13, by which date the state is required to file a detailed affidavit informing the steps taken on a day-to-day basis, district-wise, in compliance with the court's order.
Statistics:- 1,547 persons apprehended along the international border in 2023.
- 1,694 persons apprehended in 2024.
- 723 persons apprehended till July 31, 2025.
- 4,988.282 kg of drugs and narcotics seized in 2023 worth Rs 43,197.44 lakh.
- 3,145.606 kg of drugs and narcotics seized in 2024 worth Rs 46,107.67 lakh.
- March 31: Deadline for transfer of the remaining 127.327 km of land.
- May 13: Next hearing date, by which date the state is required to file a detailed affidavit.