Odisha-West Bengal Border Tensions Escalate Over Road Construction Dispute

Conflict Erupts Over Territorial Claims

Tensions escalated on Monday at the Odisha-West Bengal border in Bhograi when local MLA Goutam Buddha Das intervened to halt a road construction project that was allegedly infringing on Odisha's territory.

The contention revolves around a 40-meter concrete road being built in Sagarasahi village, which Odisha claims as its own. The Odisha government had previously assured that the roadwork would be conducted from its side.

On Monday morning, officials from West Bengal's Public Works Department reportedly entered the disputed area with a JCB machine to continue the construction. Upon learning of this, Das, along with Bhogarai Tahsildar Surya Kumar Nayak, Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Prabir Kumar Giri, and the officer in charge of Kamarda Police Station, quickly arrived at the site to stop the work.

Das emphasized the importance of safeguarding Odisha's identity, language, and land. He stated, "As devoted children of our motherland, we will not surrender her to outsiders nor bow down to them."

The MLA criticized the West Bengal government for what he termed a strategic encroachment into Odisha's border villages, particularly in the Jaleswar and Bhograi blocks of Balasore district, where boundary disputes affect nearly 80 villages.

The road construction issue gained prominence last month when the West Medinipur district administration in West Bengal initiated work in the contested area.

In light of ongoing intrusions, Das assured that concrete road construction in the affected village would begin within three days under Odisha's authority. A 20-member village committee has also been established to monitor the border vigilantly.

Das called on residents to stay alert and dedicated to protecting the state's territorial integrity. This incident highlights a broader trend of inter-state disputes involving Odisha, with recent tensions also noted along the Andhra Pradesh border.