Shekhar Gupta@ShekharGupta
1. I bring you my latest #CutTheClutter from the Siliguri Corridor. It details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, & how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to rest of India. The episode also explains why the Siliguri Corridor has dominated the Bengal election campaign, & what India is doing to secure it.
2. The Siliguri Corridor is one of India’s most critical strategic zones. It is just 20-22 km wide at its narrowest point, & that strip links 8 Northeastern states to the rest of India. Nearly 5cr Indians depend on this corridor — highways, railways, fuel pipelines, telecom networks, and military logistics pass through this.
3. It’s incredibly sensitive zone — there’s Bangladesh to the south, Nepal to the west, China to the north & Bhutan a bit southeast. Four borders within 100 km. This isn’t just a corridor, it’s also a chokepoint. So, a new corps was set up near Siliguri, the 33 Corps. Another mountain strike corps has come up in Panagarh, way south in Bengal, & there’s the Hasimara air base to the east of Siliguri.
4. It is often said Kashmir is the most militarised zone in the world or at least in the subcontinent. It’s not. That title belongs to this corridor. Just drive around the highways here & you can see cantonments on both sides. Recently, India has set up new military stations — in Kishanganj (Bihar), Chopra (Bengal), & Bamuni (Assam) to deepen defensive layers.
5. A key concern also is disruption or blockading of highways here. So, many new, some expensive, ideas are coming up. One of which is to build underground rail lines & maybe an underground highway as well right across this corridor. Two trunked railway lines are also being expanded, strengthened & fortified.
6. Creative solutions have been explored for decades. In 1980, India & Bangladesh signed a trade agreement to make mutually beneficial arrangements, including using the other’s territory for movement of goods between 2 places in one country.
7. Watch #CutTheClutter: #CutTheClutter from Siliguri Corridor on its strategic importance & how India is securing it

youtube.com/watch?v=rMjuY_…