Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Centre orders border fencing survey in Punjab, says CM Mann
Fencing at 300 mts from international border will relieve farmers from BSF checks: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Lakhs of acres will come within fenced area, farmers will be able to grow crops of their choice: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Babushahi Bureau
Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), April 12, 2026:
Talwandi Sabo, April 12, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the Centre has initiated steps to shift border fencing closer to the international boundary, a move he claimed follows repeated demands raised by his government and could ease long-standing difficulties faced by farmers in border areas.
According to the Chief Minister, directions have been issued to Deputy Commissioners of border districts—including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur—to conduct surveys assessing the feasibility of relocating fencing nearer to the India–Pakistan border.
Mann stated that the current alignment of fencing, placed nearly 3–4 km inside Indian territory along several stretches, has left large tracts of agricultural land beyond the fence. Farmers, he said, are allowed access to these fields only between fixed hours—typically 9 am to 4 pm—under the supervision of the Border Security Force (BSF), and must undergo routine checks.
He added that the proposed shift could bring lakhs of acres back within the fenced zone, allowing farmers to cultivate more freely and choose crops without time restrictions or repeated security procedures.
“Farmers have been facing daily hardship to access their own land. We have consistently raised this issue with the Union government,” Mann said, adding that the Union Home Minister had assured action.
The Chief Minister further said that sub-divisional magistrates have been tasked with conducting ground surveys to identify areas where fencing could be realigned to around 300 metres from the international boundary, in line with security norms.
While Mann termed the development a “major relief” for border farmers, officials indicated that the process is currently at the survey stage, and implementation timelines will depend on feasibility assessments and security considerations.