-Pratyusha Mukherjee
The West Bengal government has reportedly initiated the transfer of nearly 120 acres of land in the strategically significant Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the “Chicken Neck,” to the Centre. The land handover process is currently underway, according to reports.
Located in north Bengal, the Siliguri Corridor is a narrow 22-kilometre-wide strip that serves as the only land route connecting mainland India to the eight northeastern states. Owing to its proximity to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Tibet region, the corridor is regarded as one of India’s most strategically sensitive regions.
The development is being viewed as a major step from both national security and defence planning perspectives. Several critical highway networks linking the Northeast to the rest of the country pass through the corridor, making uninterrupted connectivity in the region vital for civilian movement, trade, and military logistics.
The corridor also holds immense importance for India’s defence preparedness, as it acts as a key logistical route for sustaining forward military deployments, including areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. Any disruption in the corridor could significantly impact strategic mobility and operational readiness in the Northeast.
According to reports, the land transfer is aimed at strengthening border security, improving strategic connectivity, and expediting infrastructure development projects in North Bengal. Given the Siliguri Corridor’s critical role in transportation, defence infrastructure, and national security architecture, the move has drawn considerable attention at the national level.
(Image source :Wikimedia)
