Govt. has approved scheme for improvement of infrastructure in former Bangladesh enclaves in India

The Centre has approved a scheme for improvement/creation of infrastructure in former Bangladesh enclaves in India, which will be funded by the Centre and implemented by the West Bengal Government over a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-20).

The Centre has sanctioned barbed wire fencing to the extent of 3,326.14 km along the Indo-Bangladesh border, out of which the fencing to the extent of 2,716.57 km has been completed, while the ongoing work is expected to be completed by March 2019.

This was stated by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in written reply to a question by Vinod Kumar Sonkar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The ratification of Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its Protocol of 2011 has resulted in the exchange of 111 Indian enclaves with a total area of 17,160.63 acres in Bangladesh with 51 Bangladeshi enclaves with a total area of 7,110.02 acres in India and preservation of the status quo on territories in adverse possession, he said.

Moreover, with the adjustment of adverse possession in the implementation of protocol, India received 2777.038 acres and transferred 2267.682 acres to Bangladesh, he said.

He said basic amenities are lacking in the 51 erstwhile Bangladesh enclaves handed over to India.