The central government has approved the construction of a new four-lane highway at a cost of Rs 2,770 crore in India's strategically important Siliguri Corridor or 'Chicken's Neck'. This new 31.02-km-long road will extend from Bagdogra to Galgalia in Bihar via Pani Tanki and Kharibari in West Bengal.

This highway, named National Highway-327, will be built parallel to the existing National Highway-27 and the distance between the two highways will be about 20 to 30 km.

The Siliguri Corridor, about 60 km long, is the only land connection between the northeastern states of India and the mainland.

Its narrowest part is only 20 to 22 km wide. Surrounded by Nepal and Bangladesh and located near the borders of China and Bhutan, this narrow corridor is very sensitive for India's security and communication.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, in a Facebook post, announced the approval of Rs 2,77.18 crore for the project, saying that the strategically important corridor will strengthen the road connectivity of the northeastern region of India and will significantly improve connectivity with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The four-lane road will help decongest Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Kharibari and Panitanki and will play a major role in speeding up the transportation of local tea, vegetables and other agricultural products to major markets by increasing connectivity with Bagdogra Airport and regional hubs.

The project will include the construction of three major bridges, an overbridge, five elephant underpasses and service roads on both sides of the highway. The construction of five elephant underpasses is of great significance, as parts of National Highway 327 under Kurseong Forest Division are designated as elephant crossing areas and elephant movement is highest in this area during the paddy harvesting season, which will greatly reduce the risk of wild elephants being killed or injured by speeding vehicles.

In recent years, especially since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh in August 2024, the Indian government has been placing special emphasis on strengthening the defense system in the Siliguri corridor and improving the regional road connectivity. Recently, the Centre has approved the construction of a high-speed rail corridor from Varanasi to New Jalpaiguri, a 35-km underground railway line near Siliguri, and a fourth railway line from Malda to NJP.

In addition, plans are underway to develop the infrastructure of Bagdogra Airport and start commercial flights from Hasimara Air Base in Alipurduar district.

According to a retired army officer, National Highway 27 is the main connecting route between Siliguri and the rest of the country with the northeast, so the central government is now giving special emphasis on constructing an alternative and parallel highway from Galgalia in Bihar via Chicken's Neck for strategic reasons.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista welcomed the highway project and said that considering the strategic importance of the Siliguri corridor, the significance of this project goes beyond just regional connectivity, which will strengthen the economic fabric of North Bengal and facilitate the movement of essential goods, services and people between the eastern and northeastern parts of the country.

Source: Telegraph India