In a significant development for India's strategic infrastructure, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has lauded the proposed underground railway link through Siliguri's critical "Chicken's Neck" corridor as a historic breakthrough. This move aims to address a long-standing strategic vulnerability that has persisted since the 1971 war, marking a pivotal moment in securing transportation routes to the North East.
A Strategic Vulnerability Finally Addressed
For decades, the narrow corridor known as the Chicken's Neck has been exploited as an intimidation tactic by anti-national forces, both domestically and internationally. Sarma emphasized in a post on social media platform X that the underground rail link represents a major strategic advancement. It will establish a secure and foolproof transportation corridor connecting the North East with the rest of India, thereby mitigating risks that have haunted the region for over fifty years.
Railway Minister's Announcement and Technical Details
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently disclosed that special planning is underway to lay underground tracks along a 40-kilometer stretch between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani railway stations in West Bengal. Concurrently, the existing line will be expanded to four tracks, enhancing capacity and efficiency. Notably, one of the new underground lines will directly connect to Bagdogra, a hub of critical importance to India's air defence systems, further bolstering national security.
The Geopolitical Significance of the Chicken's Neck
The Chicken's Neck corridor, barely 20 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, traverses Siliguri in northern West Bengal. It is squeezed between Nepal and Bangladesh, with Bhutan and China in close proximity, making it a fragile and strategically sensitive area. This vulnerability has long been considered India's Achilles' heel in the northeast, where any disruption could sever the region from the mainland, posing significant security and logistical challenges.
Political Appreciation and Future Implications
Chief Minister Sarma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their decisive action in addressing this long-standing issue. He described the decision as a giant step toward mitigating strategic vulnerabilities, noting that, in hindsight, such measures should have been implemented much earlier, possibly even in the aftermath of the 1971 war. This underground rail project is expected to not only enhance connectivity but also fortify India's defence posture in the region, ensuring uninterrupted access and resilience against potential threats.
