The Border Security Force (BSF) and Tripura Police will significantly intensify security along the India-Bangladesh border ahead of the five-day Durga Puja festival beginning 16 October, with state police simultaneously launching a special anti-drug drive across urban areas, senior officials announced in Agartala on 9 October 2026.

Border Vigil and Smart Border Project

Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Rao confirmed that the BSF would further strengthen its presence along Tripura's 856-km international border with Bangladesh during the festival period. Tripura Police will also step up surveillance in border villages, Rao told reporters.

On the proposed Smart Border Project, Rao disclosed that of the total 856-km border, 806 km has been fully fenced, while the remaining 50 km remains unfenced due to difficult terrain, water bodies, and forested areas. 'The BSF and Tripura Police are jointly preparing proposals for the Smart Border Project, and both agencies would jointly implement the scheme,' Rao said.

The project was earlier announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Tripura in June 2026, when he stated that the Modi government would establish an impregnable border grid equipped with drones, radars, modern cameras, and advanced surveillance technologies. Shah had directed BSF units in Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal to coordinate with district administrations, police stations, panchayats, and patwaris to prevent infiltration.

Security Deployment Across the State

Around 11,000 personnel from Tripura Police and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) will be deployed statewide to maintain law and order during the festivities. Hundreds of plainclothes officers will additionally be stationed on running trains and at crowded locations to monitor anti-social activities.

Surveillance infrastructure will include watchtowers, 218 CCTV cameras, and police and traffic assistance booths set up in Agartala and other district towns for round-the-clock coverage.

Traffic Management and Public Safety

A dedicated green corridor will be opened to facilitate the movement of ambulances and emergency vehicles during the Puja days. Vehicle and two-wheeler movement will be restricted during peak hours at major Puja pandals to manage crowd flow and ensure safety. The measures are intended to balance devotee access with emergency response readiness.

Scale of Celebrations and Context

More than 2,900 community Durga Pujas and over 100 family Pujas are expected to be organised across Tripura this year, including around 720 in West Tripura district alone. This scale of gatherings makes coordinated security and traffic management a logistical priority for the state administration.

Tripura's geographic vulnerability — surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh — makes the state particularly sensitive to cross-border migration, infiltration, and smuggling, issues that are perennially amplified during large public gatherings. With the Smart Border Project still in its proposal stage, this festive season's security rests heavily on conventional deployment and coordination.