India Builds Underground Tunnel Network to Fortify Strategic Chicken’s Neck
India has initiated a major project to construct a massive underground tunnel network in the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor, aiming to secure vital supply routes to its northeastern states against potential threats from Bangladesh and China.
Key Takeaways
- India is building an underground tunnel and storage network in the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck).
- The project, led by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), ensures troop and supply movement during conflicts.
- The move addresses vulnerabilities amid tensions with China and Bangladesh’s military ties with Beijing.
- The corridor is only 22 km wide at its narrowest and is crucial for connectivity to the northeast.
Securing a Critical Lifeline
The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow strip of land, just 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest, connecting mainland India to its northeastern states. Bordered by Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, and lying close to China, it is India’s most significant strategic vulnerability.
The corridor hosts essential infrastructure like National Highway 10 and the Sevoke-Rangpo railway line, making it vital for both economic and military logistics.
BRO’s Underground Infrastructure Push
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is spearheading the project, which involves constructing tunnels and underground storage facilities. This infrastructure is designed to guarantee the uninterrupted movement of troops and supplies, even during a military blockade or conflict.
This enhancement is expected to significantly boost India’s defensive and offensive capabilities in a region long considered a weak point.
Geopolitical Context: China and Bangladesh
The development comes at a time of heightened tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Simultaneously, concerns are growing over Bangladesh’s deepening military cooperation with Beijing, including the potential for Chinese access to the Chittagong port.
Part of a Broader Border Infrastructure Plan
This underground network is not an isolated project. It is part of a larger, concerted effort by India to strengthen infrastructure along its sensitive borders with China and Pakistan. This broader plan includes the construction of other strategic tunnels like the Zojila and Shinku La passes.
