India is set to construct a new highway in the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the "Chicken's Neck," situated near the Bangladesh border.

The country's central government has allocated approximately 2,000 crore rupees to build a 31-kilometer, four-lane new highway running parallel to National Highway 27, which serves as the main artery of the region.

This information was reported by the Indian media outlet NDTV on Friday, September 4.

The Siliguri Corridor serves as the sole land route connecting India's northeastern states to the mainland.

Surrounded by Nepal and Bangladesh and located close to the borders of China and Bhutan, this narrow tract of land holds immense sensitivity and strategic importance for India's internal and external security.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stated in a Facebook post that a total of 2,077.18 crore rupees has been approved for the construction of the new highway.

The 31.02-kilometer-long road will be designated as National Highway 327, connecting Galgalia in Bihar from Bagdogra via Panitanki and Khoribari, running parallel at a distance of 20 to 30 kilometers from National Highway 27.

Spanning roughly 60 kilometers in length, the Siliguri Corridor narrows to just 20 to 22 kilometers at its tightest point.

Emphasizing the significance of this highly sensitive corridor, Minister Gadkari wrote that the strategically vital project in the Siliguri Corridor will bolster connectivity to Northeast India and improve transit systems toward Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

He further noted that the launch of this four-lane highway will alleviate traffic congestion in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Khoribari, and Panitanki.

It will improve access to the Bagdogra Airport and key regional centers while ensuring the swift marketing of agriculture, horticulture, tea, and other local products.

According to the report, the project will feature the construction of three major bridges, one road overbridge, five dedicated elephant underpasses, and service roads on both sides of the highway.

These measures are being implemented because several areas under the jurisdiction of the Kurseong Forest Division are identified as primary elephant crossing zones, which will significantly reduce the risk of wild elephants being killed or injured by speeding vehicles.

In recent times, particularly following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh in August 2024, the Indian central government has taken special initiatives to strengthen defense posture and infrastructure in the Siliguri Corridor.

Previously, approvals were granted for a high-speed railway corridor from Varanasi to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), a 35-kilometer underground railway line near Siliguri, and a fourth railway line from Malda to New Jalpaiguri.

According to defense and regional experts, the creation of an alternative, parallel four-lane highway to National Highway 27 will secure India's defense transportation and supply chains in this strategic zone while strengthening economic infrastructure in northern India.