The government today approved transfer of around 59 acres of land belonging to Farakka Barrage Project to the Border Security Force (BSF) for setting up a battalion centre in West Bengal's Malda district.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the transfer of 58.81 acres of surplus land of the Farakka Barrage Project, under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, an official statement said.
Malda is considered a hub of smuggling of fake Indian currency notes and contraband from across the Indo-Bangla border. There are many porous patches along the international border. Large scale protests and clashes were also reported in the area some time back, official sources said.
The BSF is deployed in the area to guard the Indo-Bangla border and the land will be used to establish the headquarters of its 4th battalion at Khejuriaghat in Mouza Jagannathpur under the Kaliachak police station in Malda.
BSF guards the over 220-km long Indo-Bangla border in Malda and has four battalions deployed here.
A senior official said a full-fledged troops centre will be developed on the land which will have housing and training facilities for the personnel of the border guarding force.
"Farakka Barrage project will also be benefitted by guarding of crucial Indian frontiers with Bangladesh by BSF in Malda district which is adjoining Farakka Barrage Project (FBP), a project of both national and international importance.
"Also, possibility of encroachment of FBP land and ensuing security concerns to FBP would be reduced due to presence of the BSF personnel in the area," a government statement said after the Cabinet meeting.
