Syllabus: GS–III & V: Infrastructure

Why in the news?

The Union Railway Minister announced a proposed underground double-track railway line in the Chicken’s Neck (Siliguri) Corridor, along with plans to extend a high-speed rail corridor up to Guwahati, marking a major strategic and connectivity push for the Northeast.

Understanding the Chicken’s Neck 

• The Chicken’s Neck, also known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow stretch of land (about 20–40 km wide) that connects the Northeastern states with mainland India.
  • It is situated near Siliguri city in northern West Bengal.
• It lies between Nepal and Bangladesh, and is close to the Chumbi Valley (China–Bhutan–India tri-junction), making it strategically sensitive from both security and logistics perspectives.
• Any disruption in this corridor can sever connectivity to the entire Northeast, affecting civilian movement, trade and defence logistics.

Key features of the proposed underground rail project

• An underground double-track railway line has been proposed in the most sensitive stretch of the corridor.
• The underground section is planned between Tin Mile Hat and Rangapani in West Bengal, covering about 34 kilometres.
• Tracks will be laid 20–24 metres below the surface, ensuring protection from surface-level disruptions.
• The project adds a new strategic dimension to rail connectivity by enhancing redundancy, resilience and security.

High-speed rail and Northeast integration

• The Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor, via Patna, has been proposed.
• Travel time between Varanasi and Siliguri is expected to reduce to around 2 hours 55 minutes.
• In the future, this corridor will be extended up to Guwahati, enabling bullet train operations to Assam and the Northeast.
• This will significantly improve economic integration, tourism, labour mobility and emergency response capacity.

Budgetary and infrastructure push

• The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹11,486 crore for Assam and the Northeast in the railway sector.
• This is a major jump compared to the average annual allocation of ₹2,122 crore during 2009–2014.
• Railway projects worth ₹72,468 crore are currently ongoing across Assam and the Northeastern states.
• Nearly 96 per cent of railway tracks in the Northeast have been electrified, with full electrification expected soon.

Broader connectivity initiatives

• New rail links proposed towards Bhutan, including Kokrajhar–Gelephu and Banarhat–Samtse lines.
• Connectivity to Mizoram has been achieved, while work in Manipur and Nagaland is progressing.
• A 35-kilometre Guwahati bypass line from Baihata to Panikhaiti, including a new Brahmaputra rail bridge, is under survey.
• Artificial intelligence-based elephant detection systems using thermal cameras and sensors are being deployed to reduce train-wildlife collisions.

Strategical Significance of this Project 

• Enhances national security by safeguarding a critical corridor.
• Ensures all-weather, disruption-free connectivity to the Northeast.
• Supports defence logistics and rapid troop movement.
• Acts as a growth catalyst for trade, industry, tourism and regional integration.
• Strengthens the vision of inclusive infrastructure-led development.

Conclusion

The proposed underground double-track line in the Chicken’s Neck corridor is not merely a railway project but a strategic national investment. By combining high-speed rail, underground engineering, electrification and regional integration, India is reinforcing both the physical and strategic unity of the Northeast with the mainland. Effective execution will be crucial to translate this ambitious vision into long-term security and prosperity.

Exam Hook – 

• The Siliguri Corridor is a strategic chokepoint whose resilience is vital for India’s national security and regional integration.

Q. Discuss how underground transport infrastructure can enhance connectivity and security in sensitive border regions like the Northeast.

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