As part of its plans to develop a major national security base and enhance the connectivity infrastructure for the North Bengal and Northeast regions of India, the state government of West Bengal has made a decision to transfer approximately 120 acres of land located in the strategically important Siliguri Corridor (popularly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”) to the Central Government of India.
Strategic Importance of the ‘Chicken’s Neck’
Implicitly, the Siliguri Corridor is one of India’s most highly sensitive areas in terms of geography: a narrow strip of land (20 to 22 km at certain points) that links mainland India with the eight northeastern states of the country, running through northern West Bengal. In addition, the Siliguri Corridor shares borders with three other countries (Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh), while it adjoins to the north the Chumbi Valley of China; this defines it as an area of strategic defence and geopolitical significance.
If there is any interruption to the area that makes up the Siliguri Corridor, then the only way that the Northeast will be able to receive supplies from outside of the region would be via cross-border traffic through another adjacent country. This creates a situation of strategic vulnerability and has been a primary factor in the planning of India’s defence and troop movements in relation to the Northeast Region of India.
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Land Handover to Boost Security Projects
As part of the plan of the Central Government to establish a national security base on the transferred land, the land that will be transferred to the Central Government will be used to develop security-related infrastructure and defense fencing along the border, and to improve transportation in the area. By transferring this land from the state government to the Central Government, agencies such as the Border Security Force (BSF) and other central agencies will benefit from faster accessibility to these areas.
Authorities believe that this transfer will accelerate the completion of many delayed projects involving infrastructure due to administration-related issues. Transferring the lands is thought to create better cooperation between state and central options regarding national security and border management.
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Major Railway Expansion
The railway expansion program is one of the major projects related to this situation. Sources claim that the Federal Government plans to upgrade the existing railway system in Northeast India to have six rail lines, which would greatly increase the number of passengers and cargo transported by train over a given time frame.
Creating A new underground railway tunnel (located between Teen Mile Haat & Rangapani railway stations) is also part of this overall plan, which will protect vital transport corridors against disaster, such as drone strikes, military bombardments & other types of attacks.
Experts will argue that the implementation of these projects would greatly increase the ability of the Indian Armed Forces to effectively mobilize supplies with respect to Indian troops deployed in the eastern region.
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Transfer Of National Highways
The state GOVERNMENT has recently agreed to transfer multiple segments of the National Highway System to Government of India agencies (NHAI AND NHIDCL).
Highways connecting important zones of North Bengal including those located at or near border crossings with both Bhutan and Bangladesh are to undergo Central Government oversight, allowing these sections of roadway to be developed and maintained more rapidly than they would have been had they been developed solely by West Bengal state agencies. The projects will create better access to roadway networks across the Darjeeling Hills, Dooars, and bordering areas.
Political and Administrative Consequences
The development of North Bengal’s highways has been generated much attention as it comes on the heels of a newly votes in government in the State of West Bengal under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. Political analysts see this move as signalling an improved level of cooperation between the Federal government of India and the State of West Bengal on issues related to strategy and infrastructure.
While the Central Government of India has not publicly stated detailed plans for the use of the land, the action is being interpreted as part of a comprehensive approach to develop border infrastructure to improve military logistics systems, and provide better connectivity to the Northeast India.
The transfer of land located in the Siliguri Corridor will become increasingly critical to future defence readiness and regional development, especially in consideration of the highly strategic nature of the Siliguri Corridor to India.
