The proposed construction of a ditch-cum-bund defence project in the state’s border villages figured prominently at a meeting of Village Defence Committee (VDC) members chaired by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria here on Saturday, with farmers raising concerns over its alignment, possible waterlogging and division of agricultural holdings.Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya and farmer leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakonda) state leader Harish Nadha and Punjab Border Kisan Union president Raghubir Singh Bhangalan, apprised the Governor of problems faced by farmers.The farmers said they were already dealing with floods, war-like situations, cross-border infiltration and difficulties in cultivating land located beyond the barbed-wire fence. They apprehended that the proposed bund could divide agricultural holdings and cause waterlogging, damaging farmland and affecting residents’ health and living conditions.Kataria said national security was paramount, but the interests of border farmers also needed to be addressed. He said the Army and administration must explore every possible way to safeguard their interests and assured the farmers that he would visit the proposed bund site within two months.