India Plans Underground Rail Link Through Strategic ‘Chicken’s Neck’ Corridor

India is planning to construct an underground railway line through the strategically sensitive “Chicken’s Neck” corridor, according to reports by NDTV. The project aims to strengthen connectivity between India’s northeastern states and the rest of the country via the Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal.

The announcement was made on Monday by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The Siliguri Corridor—commonly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”—is only 20 to 25 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, making it one of India’s most vulnerable strategic regions. The corridor is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, with China located further north, adding to its geopolitical sensitivity.

As part of efforts to secure the corridor, India plans to construct an approximately 40-kilometer-long underground railway stretch in the area surrounded by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The move is intended to ensure uninterrupted connectivity even during times of crisis.

Railway Minister Vaishnaw said the national budget includes proposals to expand rail connectivity in the region to four tracks, enhancing capacity and redundancy. Chetan Shrivastava, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, said the underground section will run from Tir Mile Hat to Rangapani station in West Bengal.

He explained that the decision to move the railway lines underground was driven primarily by the corridor’s extreme narrowness—around 25 kilometers at its tightest point—which has long earned it the “Chicken’s Neck” designation.

Following the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh, Indian strategic circles have increasingly described the corridor as India’s “Achilles’ heel,” a term referring to a critical vulnerability despite overall strength.

An official was quoted as saying that the underground railway project is part of a broader strategy to maintain vital connectivity even under adverse or emergency conditions.