The multi-million euro border fence project along the Green Line near Astromeritis has fallen into disrepair, with missing gates, open entrances, and abandoned infrastructure, months after authorities announced its dismantling.
The fence, which cost approximately €2 million and spans over 11 kilometres, was intended to prevent irregular migration into Republic-controlled areas.
However, after its failure to serve its purpose, the government announced plans for its removal, though little action has followed the October cabinet decision.
A recent site visit revealed one gate missing entirely, while others remain permanently open as they have been since their installation four years ago.
Many gates have deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. Unused coils of razor wire lie in the buffer zone, where farmers, their workers, and smugglers move freely.
The project’s electronic surveillance infrastructure also stands abandoned.
Electricity Authority poles intended for security cameras and automatic gate mechanisms remain unused, with disconnected wires and abandoned control panels scattered across the area.
Local farmers interviewed reported no noticeable improvement in buffer zone surveillance, despite government promises of increased patrols and camera monitoring when the dismantling was announced in early October.
The area remains largely unmonitored, with uncontrolled access.
The fence’s removal was first proposed in summer 2023, but despite repeated announcements and promises of enhanced security measures, the infrastructure continues to deteriorate while serving no practical purpose.
