From Our Correspondent
AGARTALA: Though the flood lighting along the Indo-Bangla border is in full swing, the ambitious project in Tripura is unlikely to be completed by March, 2012.
Of the total sanctioned flood-lighting area- 854 km, works have so far been completed along 180 km border, according to official sources. However, the erection of barbed wire fencing has made good progress and expected to get over by next year.
The Centre had sanctioned Rs. 400 core for flood lighting along the Indo-Bangla border to ensure full-proof border vigil keeping in mind of the cross border movement of insurgents.
The NPCC which was awarded with the project is working on war footing but it seems the project will miss the target because of some unavoidable reasons.
As of now, the NPCC designated agencies have been working on the ambitious project in different parts of the state like Raishyabari, Ambassa, Gandacherra, Longthari Valley, Khowai, Sidhai and Bishalgarh.
Shortage of materials, monsoon’s fury and bad transportation facilities have emerged as main obstacle for implementing the project, said an official of NPCC here on Thursday.
However, he claimed that the works would get momentum after October because carrying out construction work during monsoon is very risky in a state like Tripura.
Sources said, around 80 percent Indo-Bangla border has been fenced so far and the remaining part will be done by March, 2012. Police said, the state’s Eastern border still remains a cause of concern as fencing work has not made progress over the years. Two major abduction cases were reported from two areas where barbed wire fencing has not been erected so far. However, the government has asked the BSF authority to complete the unfenced border to stop militant movement from across the border.