India Goes Underground to Secure the Chicken’s Neck

The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as India’s “Chicken’s Neck,” has long been a geopolitical pressure point. This narrow 22-kilometre stretch of land is the sole link between India’s north eastern states and the mainland. For decades, adversaries have eyed it as a vulnerability that could fracture India’s territorial integrity. Recent developments in Bangladesh, particularly after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, have reignited concerns, with Dhaka’s new regime raising the corridor issue and drawing China’s attention to the region.  

India’s response has been decisive. Recognizing the strategic fragility of the corridor, the Government of India has announced a massive rail infrastructure project to strengthen connectivity and security. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed plans for four new rail lines, including two underground tracks between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani. Once completed, the corridor will boast six parallel lines—four overground and two underground—providing a secure, multi-layered transport artery.  

The underground lines, buried 22–24 metres below the surface, are not merely about connectivity. They are designed to enhance defence mobility, ensuring that military assets can move swiftly and securely even under hostile conditions. This subterranean dimension adds resilience to India’s eastern flank, particularly toward Bagdogra, a critical hub for both civilian and defence operations.  

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the project as a strategic breakthrough, noting that for decades the Chicken’s Neck had been exploited as an intimidation tactic by anti-national forces. He emphasized that this move finally addresses a vulnerability that should have been secured in the aftermath of the 1971 war. Sarma also pointed out Bangladesh’s own fragile corridors—the North Bangladesh Corridor and the Chittagong Corridor—underscoring that vulnerabilities are not India’s alone.  

India has already been fortifying the Siliguri Corridor with new military installations, including bases strategically placed near the Bangladesh border. These facilities provide layered security, enabling India to monitor cross-border activity and deploy forces rapidly. Together with the underground rail project, they represent a comprehensive recalibration of India’s defence strategy in the east.  

The Chicken’s Neck is no longer just a narrow strip of land—it is becoming a fortified lifeline. By going underground, India is not only securing its northeast but also sending a clear signal to adversaries: the corridor will remain unbreakable.