India Hands Over Key “Chicken’s Neck” Roads to Federal Authorities

The move was confirmed in a notification issued by the state chief secretary’s office.

According to the notification, the proposal had remained pending with the state government for nearly a year despite repeated requests from India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The development comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently replaced the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal.

Soon after taking office, the new BJP-led administration handed over seven roads in the region to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), citing the need to improve connectivity.

Previously, the roads had been managed by the state government’s Public Works Department. Five of the seven roads pass directly through the Siliguri Corridor.

Experts believe the transfer will accelerate road expansion and repair work in the area. A military observer said improved roads would make military operations in the region faster and more efficient.

Geographically, the “Chicken’s Neck” is one of India’s most strategically sensitive regions. The narrow strip of land, measuring only about 22 kilometers at its narrowest point, lies close to the borders of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The corridor serves as the only land connection between mainland India and the country’s seven northeastern states, often referred to as the “Seven Sisters.” Nearby Sikkim also borders China, adding to the area’s strategic importance.

Security analysts say the move carries major national security implications.

Concerns over infrastructure in the region intensified after the 2017 Doklam military standoff involving India and China near the Bhutan-China-India tri-junction. During the crisis, both countries deployed troops and military equipment along the border, raising fears of a larger conflict.