India has nearly finalized plans to construct an underground railway through the narrow Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, which connects the country’s northeastern states with the rest of India. The proposed 35.76-kilometer tunnel will run from Tin Mile Hat in North Dinajpur district of West Bengal to Rangapani near Siliguri, with two parallel tunnels designed for secure and uninterrupted transport. The project, estimated to cost around 12,000 crore rupees, awaits final approval. Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 16-kilometer tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam that will accommodate both rail and road traffic.

Officials from Northeast Frontier Railway said the Siliguri tunnel aims to ensure safe connectivity through a region bordered by Bangladesh, Nepal, and China. Experts emphasize its strategic military value, as the corridor is India’s only link to the northeast and a key route for troop and equipment movement. The Brahmaputra tunnel will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, reducing travel time and strengthening regional infrastructure.

Both projects are expected to enhance India’s logistical resilience, military mobility, and regional economic integration once completed.