India, Bangladesh to survey border line

Barasat, Mar 2 (UNI) The land record and survey department of India and Bangladesh have initiated surveys for demarcation of the international border line from Taki to Sunderban areas up to Bay of Bengal in North 24 parganas.

The frequent change of course of Icchamati river and its tributaries have virtually destroyed the international border line in the areas leading to frequent disputes between the border guards of both the countries.

A joint border map of the two countries would also be prepared by both the countries by early next year after the survey work gets completed.

A joint team comprising senior officials of land records and survey departments of both the countries visited the 145-km stretch of Ichhamati river from Taki to the confluence of Bay of Bengal in the last four days.

''Border pillars along the rivers were hardly found. In many places pillars collapsed in the river,'' North 24 parganas district magistrate and collector Manoj Pant, who visited the area with the joint team, said.

Led by land record and survey director G C Bairagi government officials representing India also visited the land of the neighouring country to have an on the spot study of places along the river course.

The Bangladesh team was led by director general of the land records and survey Janab Hyder Sardar. He was accompanied by the secretary of the department Mijanur Rahman, besides, two other officials.

Prior to return, Mr Rahman said the joint survey would be undertaken for further demarcation of the international border during the year to draw a fresh border map between India and Bangladesh by January next.

Mr Rahman left for Bangladesh through Ghojadanga corridor near Basirhat yesterday.

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