India to finalise Bangladesh proposal on boundary poles

Shillong, Sep 4 (UNI) India is still examining Bangladesh's proposal to set up 20-feet high 'special poles' on the international boundary in Meghalaya in wake of the frequent damages caused to the boundary pillars by nature, a top government official today said.

This was conveyed to the Bangladesh Land Records and Surveys top officials, during the 127th Indo-Bangladesh Boundary Conference, concluding here today.

''We are still examining the proposals from Bangladesh for setting up the special poles and expect to take a decision during our next review meeting at Dhaka on November,'' Meghalaya's Special Director for Land Records and Survey T Dkhar told UNI here.

The Indian delegation was led by Ministry of External Affairs Deputy Secretary Aseem Mahajan, while the five-member Bangladesh delegation was led by Director General of Land Records and Surveys, Mahfuzur Rahaman.

The review meeting also agreed to renovate the broken boundary pillars and erect new pillars which were found either missing or washed away by rivers, Mr Dkhar said.

''Yes, we have mooted the idea of setting up 20-feet high special pole pillars in certain areas like riverine areas for the benefit of both the nations in knowing the territories,'' Mr Rahaman said.

The delegates from Bangladesh presented a detailed report on the extent of damage as well as the number of border pillars that disappeared.

Earlier, the Survey of India and Bangladesh Survey had jointly carried out a survey in the areas where the boundary pillars were found missing or broken else washed away by rivers.

The authorities also carried maps and equipment to determine the exact position of those pillars.

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