The Indian government has announced an ambitious plan to construct a 40-kilometer underground railway line through the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal, popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck.”
The announcement was made on Monday by India’s Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a video conference regarding the Union Budget’s railway allocations. The project aims to fortify the narrow stretch of land that serves as the only land link between the eight northeastern states and the rest of the Indian mainland.
A Move for Strategic Security
The Siliguri Corridor is one of India’s most geographically vulnerable zones, narrowing to just 20–25 kilometers at its slimmest point. It is surrounded by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, with the Chinese border located just a few hundred kilometers to the north.
According to Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the underground section will stretch between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani stations.
“This underground section is vital from a security perspective,” Shrivastava stated, noting that one branch of the line will extend toward Bagdogra, a critical hub for India’s air defense infrastructure.
Project Details
The project is designed to ensure that movement of troops and essential supplies remains uninterrupted even during a conflict or crisis. Key features include:
- Depth: The tracks will be laid approximately 20–24 meters below the surface.
- Capacity Expansion: Existing double-track surface lines will be upgraded to four lines.
- Total Infrastructure: Once completed, the corridor will feature six railway lines in total—four on the surface and two underground.
Context of Regional Tensions
The decision comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in South Asia. Indian strategic circles have expressed heightened concern following the change of government in Bangladesh.
Recent rhetoric from certain groups in Dhaka regarding “choking the Chicken’s Neck” and Bangladesh’s outreach to China—particularly regarding the Teesta River project—has accelerated New Delhi’s efforts to “harden” its infrastructure in the region.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the project as a “major strategic breakthrough,” claiming it addresses a “long-standing vulnerability” that has been used as an intimidation tactic by external forces for decades.
For India, the “Chicken’s Neck” has long been viewed as its “Achilles’ heel.” By moving critical rail infrastructure underground, New Delhi intends to insulate its northeastern lifeline from potential aerial strikes, long-range artillery, or diplomatic shifts in neighboring territories.
