Siliguri corridor in focus after BJP’s Bengal sweep

May 6, 2026 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani

The political landscape of eastern India has shifted significantly after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a dominant mandate, attention has turned to strategic and security priorities in the region.

A key area of focus is the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as India’s “Chicken Neck.”

This narrow stretch, only about 20–22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, connects the northeastern states to the rest of the country.

Its location makes it highly sensitive, as it lies close to the borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

Therefore, any disruption here could impact connectivity and national security.

With the BJP now governing both West Bengal and Assam, coordination with the central government is expected to improve.

As a result, long-pending infrastructure and security projects may gain speed. Among these is a plan to strengthen railway connectivity through the corridor, including the development of an underground railway line.

This underground project is considered crucial due to multiple vulnerabilities in the region.

Since the corridor is exposed to natural disasters, congestion, and security risks, an underground route could provide a more secure and reliable alternative.

Additionally, the Union Budget has already proposed expanding railway lines to four tracks across key districts in West Bengal and Bihar, further boosting connectivity.

Beyond infrastructure, the new political alignment has also brought renewed attention to border security.

Issues like illegal immigration, especially along the India-Bangladesh border, are expected to be addressed more assertively.

Leaders, including Amit Shah, have emphasised that such concerns are not just economic but also linked to national security.

In this context, the developments in West Bengal signal more than a political change. They point toward a broader push to secure critical regions like the Siliguri Corridor while improving infrastructure.

These efforts aim to strengthen both connectivity and internal security in one of India’s most sensitive zones.

Image Credit: Prabhat114, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons