The Union Home Ministry has initiated plans for a significant expansion of India's domestic intelligence infrastructure by proposing nearly 40 permanent
Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) offices across West Bengal's districts bordering Bangladesh. The project, which will require approximately 50 acres of land, is aimed at strengthening intelligence collection, surveillance and counter-infiltration capabilities along one of India's most sensitive international frontiers. The move comes amid heightened concerns over illegal infiltration, smuggling networks and activities linked to foreign intelligence agencies operating along the India-Bangladesh border. According to a report by the Statesman, the proposed facilities will function as integrated office-cum-residential campuses, replacing the rented premises from which most SIB units currently operate outside Kolkata. Officials believe dedicated campuses will improve operational secrecy, enhance institutional security and provide a more robust intelligence presence across vulnerable border sectors. A high-level meeting between officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the West Bengal Home Department has already been held to discuss the implementation roadmap.
Permanent SIB Campuses Planned Across Border Districts
Under the proposal, each SIB campus will require between one and one-and-a-half acres of land, bringing the total requirement to around 50 acres across multiple locations. The Centre has indicated that it is prepared to purchase land where necessary, while the West Bengal government is examining the possibility of allocating vested government land to accelerate the project. Once land is formally transferred, the Intelligence Bureau will independently develop the proposed infrastructure.
Officials say the transition from rented buildings to permanent facilities will significantly improve operational confidentiality. Intelligence units frequently handle sensitive information relating to national security, and dedicated campuses are expected to reduce vulnerabilities associated with leased premises while providing secure accommodation for personnel deployed in border districts.
Intelligence Expansion Complements BSF Border Infrastructure
The proposed expansion forms part of a broader effort to strengthen India's security architecture along the 2,217-kilometre India-Bangladesh border, where nearly 600 kilometres remain unfenced. It follows the recent transfer of 142.79 acres of land by the West Bengal government to the Border Security Force (BSF) for the construction of border outposts and barbed-wire fencing across nine districts.
The districts identified for the BSF infrastructure include Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas. Authorities expect the parallel expansion of physical border infrastructure and intelligence facilities to improve coordination between central agencies and state law enforcement while enhancing round-the-clock monitoring of cross-border activities.
Officials believe the combined strategy of expanding BSF infrastructure while establishing permanent Intelligence Bureau facilities will reinforce India's ability to detect infiltration attempts, disrupt smuggling networks and monitor activities that could threaten national security.
