AGARTALA, June 29 (TIWN): The ongoing works of barbed wire fencing in the state’s eastern segment have been virtually stalled due to the monsoon.

Transportation of construction has been stopped after approach roads became risky for vehicular movement severely affecting the fencing works in different places of Longtharai Valley and Gandacherra subdivision.

“Sending construction materials to the workplaces is very tough and risky job prompting us to reduce the works along the border. Besides, the soil along the border is very sloppy causing problem for workers to carry on work”, said an executive of a construction agency.

Reports said works are in progress only in some pockets where communication system is good but works have got stalled in places like Chawmanu, Ganganagar and Raishyabari due to the monsoon shower.

Works would start only after September since monsoon is supposed to depart in July.

Of the total 856 km Indo-Bangla border, 694 km border has already been fenced while work is in progress along 101 border line. The ongoing fencing works are supposed to be completed by December next year.

Out of total 720 km border sanctioned for flood lighting, the facility has been extended up to 577km international border  and works are in full swing in 129 km. The flood lighting work is scheduled to get completed by March next year.

Law enforcement agencies want the construction companies to expedite the fencing and flood lighting works in the eastern frontier at the earliest because possibility of intrusion bid by the militants could not be ruled out there. 

According to intelligence inputs, militants are active across the border just opposite of the state’s eastern border. The NLFT still has 21 camps and most of the hideouts are situated at Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), opposite of the state’s eastern border.