Chandigarh, January 19, 2026: Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced a significant development for farmers along the India-Pakistan border, stating that the Centre has agreed “in principle” to shift the border security fence closer to the actual border. The announcement follows a meeting between CM Mann and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during which the issue of long-standing difficulties faced by farmers due to the current location of the fence was discussed.

According to CM Mann, Shah informed him that the matter is “under active consideration” and assured that any realignment of the fencing would bring Punjab’s land back to the accessible side without compromising national security. However, the Union Home Ministry has yet to issue an official communication confirming the plan.

Understanding the Fence and Its Impact on Farmers

The fence under discussion is not the official international border but a wire-mesh barricade installed in the 1990s to prevent cross-border infiltration. While intended as a security measure, its current placement deep inside Punjab’s territory has long created practical difficulties for farmers. In many areas, the fence is located 2-3 kilometers inside Indian territory, far beyond the recommended 150 meters from the zero line, the internationally recognized border limit.

The Punjab stretch of the India-Pakistan border measures 523 kilometers, with over 90 percent fenced, excluding riverine stretches along the Ravi and Sutlej and some marshy areas. As a result, vast tracts of agricultural land lie beyond the fence, forcing farmers to coordinate their movements under strict security supervision to access their own fields. For decades, this has led to logistical challenges, mental stress, and even economic losses due to restricted cultivation hours and limited access to irrigation facilities.

Daily Hardships for Farmers

Currently, farmers along the border must cross the fence under the escort of the Border Security Force (BSF), often showing identity documents and complying with strict checks. Daily routines such as sowing, harvesting, and irrigation are complicated by the security protocols. Many farmers have reported having limited hours—typically from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—to work on their land. Tubewell connections and irrigation access on the “far side” of the fence are often restricted, leading to crop losses and additional hardship. Women and farm labourers also face physical and mental strain due to the constant security monitoring and limited mobility.

AAP leader and former minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal highlighted that the fence’s realignment would provide significant relief to border farmers, allowing them to cultivate their land without fear, avoid daily checks, and access irrigation infrastructure seamlessly. According to Dhaliwal, the change would also reduce the economic losses that arise from restricted access to tubewells, which are vital for crop irrigation, particularly during dry periods.

What Shifting the Fence Means

Shifting the fence closer to the actual international border would align security measures more effectively with territorial realities. By realigning the fence, thousands of acres of land that are currently “beyond the fence” would come inside the secured Indian side, giving farmers unrestricted access to their own fields.

While security remains a top priority, officials note that modern surveillance systems, patrols, and border monitoring techniques have evolved since the 1990s. With the proposed realignment, farmers can operate safely within Indian territory while national security is maintained.

The move also addresses an anomaly that has existed for decades: the fence’s location deep inside Indian territory has made it more difficult to distinguish between the security perimeter and the official boundary. Realigning it closer to the zero line would simplify administrative oversight, improve border management, and reduce the operational burden on the BSF, who currently monitor both the border and the fence.

Historical Context and Security Considerations

The India-Pakistan border in Punjab has been volatile at times, including incidents such as Operation Sindoor in May last year, which underscored the need for robust security. The original fencing, installed in the 1990s, aimed to curb infiltration and smuggling. While it has been largely successful in maintaining security, its positioning inadvertently caused socio-economic challenges for the local population.

Experts note that border fencing in other countries is typically placed at least 150 meters from the official line, allowing room for patrols and buffer zones. In Punjab, the fence’s location—sometimes 2-3 km inside Indian territory—meant that farmers were effectively “cut off” from their own land. Realignment is expected to resolve this long-standing issue while maintaining adequate security measures, including electronic surveillance, BSF patrols, and watchtowers.

Potential Benefits of Fence Realignment

If implemented, the shifting of the fence could bring multiple benefits:

1. Unrestricted Access to Fields: Farmers will no longer have to navigate security checkpoints daily, significantly reducing time and effort required for cultivation.
2. Better Irrigation: Fields that were previously “beyond the fence” often lacked tubewell access, limiting irrigation and affecting crop yields. Bringing these lands within the secure perimeter will restore access.
3. Economic Relief: With unrestricted access and improved irrigation, farmers can expect higher productivity, reduced crop losses, and improved income.
4. Reduced Mental and Physical Strain: Daily checks and restrictions on movement have imposed considerable stress on farmers, women, and farm labourers. Realignment would ease these pressures.
5. Simplified Border Management: Moving the fence closer to the zero line reduces administrative complications for the BSF and other authorities, allowing better focus on security and surveillance of the actual international boundary.

Voices from the Border

Local farmers have welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue step. Many have shared experiences of the daily hardships they face due to the fence’s positioning. “We have always felt as though we are prisoners on our own land. Crossing the fence every day under BSF supervision, showing documents, and dealing with restricted hours has been exhausting,” said one farmer from the Fazilka district. “If the fence is realigned, it will be like getting our land back in our hands.”

Women working on border farms also voiced relief at the prospect of reduced restrictions. Daily security checks and limited access hours had previously made it difficult for women to perform agricultural work efficiently, often requiring them to start early in the morning and return late, juggling household responsibilities as well.

Next Steps and Government Action

While the announcement by CM Mann is a positive signal, the proposal will require detailed surveys, planning, and coordination between the state and the Union Home Ministry, the BSF, and other stakeholders. The process may include:

• Demarcation of the new fence line in consultation with security agencies.
• Assessment of potential security risks and measures to mitigate infiltration.
• Communication with farmers and local communities to ensure smooth transition and awareness.
• Installation of necessary infrastructure, such as patrol roads, surveillance cameras, and checkpoints along the new line.

Officials emphasize that security remains paramount and that any realignment will be carefully designed to prevent vulnerabilities while maximizing access and relief for farmers.

Conclusion

The proposed shifting of the India-Pakistan border security fence in Punjab, as announced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, represents a potentially transformative step for farmers along the 523-kilometer border stretch. By realigning the fence closer to the actual international boundary, thousands of acres of agricultural land will come within easier reach, ending decades of daily hardship, restricted access, and economic losses.

While the plan is still in the consideration phase and awaits formal approval from the Union Home Ministry, it has already been welcomed by local communities, political leaders, and agricultural experts. For the farmers of Punjab, this move promises not only improved access to their land but also a restoration of dignity and normalcy in their daily lives, without compromising national security.

As Punjab waits for the formal green light, the announcement underscores a rare convergence of security imperatives and farmer welfare, reflecting a pragmatic approach to border management in one of India’s most sensitive regions.