Border Tension: West Bengal ‘builds road’ inside Odisha; officials seize JCB, roller

Tension flared near Sahabajipur along the Odisha–West Bengal border in Bhograi block of Balasore district on Sunday after alleged attempts were made by the neighbouring state to construct a road inside Odisha territory.

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Local residents claimed that the work involved breaking an existing Odisha-side road to push construction inward from the West Bengal side. The activity was halted following strong resistance from Bhograi residents.

On being informed, officials from Bhograi administration reached the spot and seized a JCB machine along with vehicles carrying sand. The seized equipment and carrier vehicles have been detained at Talasari Marine Police Station.

Residents alleged that administrative neglect has emboldened neighbouring West Bengal to encroach upon Odisha’s land and resources.

“Since last night, the West Bengal administration has been digging roads and encroaching about 50 feet into Odisha’s territory to construct a new road. When we saw this morning that they had dug up the road in Odisha and occupied the border, I first came and asked why they were working here. They claimed they had orders from their government. I told them that this is Odisha’s land and to stop the work,” a local, Bhagaban Behera, said.

“They (West Bengal) stopped the work, and then I informed the Odisha administration. Our administration arrived at the scene and seized all their equipment. Later, the West Bengal administration also arrived. After discussions, our administration seized the equipment and has kept those at the local police station. They have seized a road roller along with a sand truck that was illegally transporting sand from Odisha to West Bengal under a Udaypur permit. Although the Mines Department was informed, they have not reached the spot yet. Based on the Tehsildar's orders, the Talasari Marine Police have seized and held the sand truck and the roller,” the Bhograi resident stated.

In a separate incident, a sand-laden truck travelling from Bhadrak district towards Udaypur was intercepted by locals for allegedly carrying forged documents while attempting to cross the border.

Police later took custody of the vehicle after the Mines Department failed to reach the site despite being informed. The developments have sparked concern over border vigilance and enforcement mechanisms in the region.

“Actually, they have entered our territory. So, we have informed everyone. All the data has also been provided to the District Collector (Balasore), and we will keep their roller where it is for now. We talked with the officials. They also mentioned that they hadn't actually informed the contractor, but they have come here anyway. So, the roller will be handed over to the police,” Additional Tehsildar, Pragyan Paramita, expressed.