Dibrugarh: Border fencing along the India-Myanmar border at Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district is progressing despite threats from active militant outfits and inclement weather, officials said.
Progress at Pangsau Pass
Work at Pangsau Pass, located in the insurgency-affected Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) belt, began in November 2025. So far, 2 km of fencing has been completed, along with 5 km of a new road being built alongside the fence.
“The work at Pangsau Pass started in November 2025, and despite challenging terrain and inclement weather, we have completed 2 km of fencing. Five kilometres of a new road have also been carved out along the fencing,” a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) official said on Thursday.
Centre-Backed Initiative
The project is part of a Centre-backed initiative to address insurgency in the TCL districts, long affected by militant activity. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 31,000 crore to fence the entire 1,643-km India-Myanmar border across Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Arunachal shares the longest stretch at 520 km, followed by Mizoram (510 km), Manipur (398 km) and Nagaland (215 km).
The BRO is carrying out the work under the protection of the armed forces. Security personnel deployed to protect workers have come under attack from militant groups on several occasions.
Security Challenges
Security agencies said insurgent outfits oppose the project as it would restrict cross-border movement and disrupt supply routes. “The completion of this project will significantly choke the operational capabilities of insurgent groups that have been using the porous border to their advantage for decades,” an official said.
The TCL districts have historically been among the most insurgency-hit areas in the Northeast, with several armed groups operating along the Myanmar border.
Government Push
In March, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said 30 km of fencing had been completed in Manipur, signalling the Centre's push to accelerate work along the border. Officials said the Centre has directed agencies to complete the project at the earliest, underscoring its strategic importance for long-term peace and stability in the region.
