Agartala, December 20, 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated the state-of-the-art Border Guarding Force (BGF) accommodation at Agartala and Petrapole land ports on Friday. This initiative aims to enhance the welfare and operational capabilities of India’s border security forces.

Petrapole, India’s largest land port, serves as the main gateway for trade with Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in the region’s economic development. The port facilitates a significant portion of bilateral trade, contributing to the prosperity of both countries. The new accommodation for BGF personnel at Petrapole is expected to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of border security at this vital trade hub.

Similarly, the Agartala land port, located on the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, is an essential medium for trade and communication between the two countries. The upgraded facilities at the port, including the new accommodation, are anticipated to boost trade, facilitate border management, and promote local economic progress.

The new facilities at both land ports were sanctioned in December 2018 with an investment of around Rs 55 crore. These facilities aim to improve the living conditions of the SSB personnel. The Petrapole land port features an Officers Block, Subordinate Officers Block, Jawans Block, and a Women’s Block for the Women’s Unit, spread over an area of 13,339 sq m. The Officers Block can accommodate five officers and includes a dining area, kitchen, and rest facilities. The Subordinate Officers Block can house 24 personnel, while the Jawans Block provides improved and adequate facilities for a significant number of Jawans.

At the Agartala land port, the accommodation for Border Security Personnel spans an area of 8093.7 sq m and includes blocks with all necessary facilities. The Women’s Block can accommodate eight women Jawans, ensuring comfortable living conditions. The Officers’ Block, covering an area of 659 sq m, provides residential facilities for five officers. The four-storey Subordinate Officers’ and Jawans’ Block can house 16 Subordinate Officers and 128 Jawans, and includes a dining hall, kitchen, and a multi-purpose hall.

“The official inauguration of these accommodation facilities aligns with the government’s commitment to providing modern and comfortable living conditions for the security forces who tirelessly protect our borders,” said Colonel G.S. Sandhu, Project Director of the Land Port Authority of India. “These residential complexes at Petrapole and Agartala land ports highlight the importance of border management infrastructure in promoting trade and maintaining influential international relations.”

The event was attended by BSF Tripura Frontier IG AK Sharma, Agartala Land Port Manager Debasis Nandi, BSF DIG VS Kasana, Forest Officer-in-Charge Raju Chakraborty, Agartala Municipal Corporation Corporator Tushar Chakraborty, and Senior Immigration Officer Leena Prasad. The inauguration marks a significant step forward in enhancing the operational capabilities and welfare of India’s border security forces.