WB-Odisha border tension rekindled over road work in Udaipur stretch

A long-simmering border dispute between West Bengal and Odisha resurfaced on Tuesday, triggering fresh administrative tension after road renovation work in a disputed stretch was abruptly halted midway, allegedly following intervention by the Odisha Police.

According to local residents and official sources, the Public Works Department (PWD) of West Bengal had begun renovation of a road near Udaipur, a sensitive border pocket claimed by both states, when a contingent of Odisha Police arrived at the site and stopped the work. The Odisha administration reportedly asserted that the construction was being carried out well within their territorial jurisdiction and termed the work “unauthorised”.

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The situation escalated when, sources claimed, the Odisha Police seized a dumper and a road roller deployed by the Bengal PWD for the renovation work. The sudden action sent ripples of anxiety across the border belt, unsettling local residents and traders on both sides, many of whom depend heavily on uninterrupted movement along the road.

The renewed flashpoint prompted swift administrative intervention. Senior officials from both states rushed into emergency consultations in an attempt to prevent the situation from spiralling further. However, despite initial talks, no immediate resolution could be reached, officials said, though dialogue remains ongoing.

Shibu Biswas, Assistant Engineer of the local PWD in West Bengal, said that discussions between the two administrations were continuing in a “positive atmosphere”. “We are hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon through administrative coordination, and that the seized equipment will be released at the earliest,” he said.

The border stretch has remained contentious for years, with overlapping claims periodically triggering disputes over infrastructure, policing and development works. Locals fear that recurring stand-offs only deepen uncertainty in an area known for its natural appeal and steady tourist footfall.

Business owners in the region said prolonged tension could hurt livelihoods. “This area attracts visitors almost every day. Any instability directly affects tourism and trade,” said a shopkeeper near the border. “We just want the matter settled once and for all.”

While both state governments maintain that the dispute will be resolved through administrative channels, residents remain anxious, watching closely as officials attempt to defuse yet another chapter in a dispute that refuses to fade quietly.