India Plans Strategic Railway Tunnels in the Siliguri Corridor and Assam
The narrow strip of land that connects northeastern India to the rest of the country is known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, officially called the Siliguri Corridor. India has recently planned to build a railway line through an underground tunnel in this strategically important area.
The proposed railway tunnel will be approximately 36 kilometers long. It will run from 3 Mile Hat in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal to Rangapani, passing through Siliguri city. This project is currently in the planning stage and is awaiting final approval.
Geographically, the Siliguri Corridor is extremely important to India. The land is only about 20 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Bangladesh lies to the south, China to the north, and Nepal to the west. This corridor serves as the main connection between northeastern India and the rest of the country. It is used for transporting goods, passengers, military equipment, and troops.
Kishore Sharma, spokesperson for the North Eastern Railway, stated that the project proposal has been prepared but has not yet received final approval. According to Indian experts, although the railway line will serve civilian passengers, it also has major military importance.
In a separate development, on Saturday, February 14, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a plan to build a 16-kilometer-long tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam. This tunnel will allow both trains and vehicles to pass through.
Regarding the Siliguri project, the North Eastern Railway spokesperson explained that the underground railway will ensure a safe and uninterrupted connection between the strategic Siliguri Corridor and the northeastern states. Two parallel tunnels will be constructed using tunnel boring machines, and modern technology will be used throughout the project.
The Bagdogra Air Force base is located near the proposed railway line, and the 33rd Corps of the Indian Army is stationed nearby. Therefore, this railway will strengthen air-rail connectivity in the region.
The estimated cost of the Siliguri tunnel project is approximately ₹12,000 crore. Once final approval is granted, the exact funding allocation will be confirmed. Officials hope the project will receive approval soon due to its strategic importance.
Why This Railway Is Strategically Important:
Retired Brigadier Prabir Sanyal of the Indian Army stated that in the late 1970s, India was always prepared for the possibility that China might attempt to seize the Siliguri Corridor. He also mentioned that although some threats from Bangladesh about taking control of the “Chicken’s Neck” are unrealistic, India must remain cautious.
He emphasized that the underground railway is crucial for national security and should have been planned at least 20 years ago. Even if enemy forces were to launch missile attacks in the Siliguri region, communication between northeastern India and the mainland would not be easily disrupted. The tunnel will be built with thick reinforced concrete to ensure durability and protection.
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