The Assam government has informed the State Assembly that out of the total 267.5-km Assam-Bangladesh international border, 228.541 km has been secured with barbed-wire fencing, while 38.959 km remains unfenced due to geographical constraints and objections from Bangladesh.
Replying to a question in the Assembly, the government said the Assam-Bangladesh border stretches across the districts of Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar and Sribhumi, with the total length measured at 267.5 km as per the Survey of India.
According to the government, 34.609 km of the unfenced stretch falls along riverine areas in Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts, where construction of barbed-wire fencing is not feasible because of the terrain. Another 4.35 km along the Kushiyara River in Sribhumi district could not be fenced due to objections raised by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), as Indian habitations exist close to the riverbank.
The government clarified that sealing the India-Bangladesh international border is the responsibility of the Central Government. To strengthen surveillance in vulnerable riverine areas where fencing is not possible, the Border Security Force (BSF) has deployed the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), established floating Border Outposts, and conducts regular boat patrols. Surveillance is further supported through observation posts, vehicle patrols, CCTV cameras, PTZ cameras and the BSF Water Wing.
The remaining 4.35-km unfenced stretch along the Kushiyara River in Sribhumi district is also under continuous security surveillance by the BSF.
The government further informed the Assembly that the Centre has replaced the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) with the new Vibrant Village Programme-II for the development of international border areas. For interstate border regions, the state is implementing schemes such as Border Development Activities, Border Outpost and the Border Outreach Programme to strengthen infrastructure and improve connectivity in border areas.
