21st December 2024 (10 Topics)
2
Dec
3
Dec
4
Dec
5
Dec
6
Dec
7
Dec
9
Dec
10
Dec
11
Dec
12
Dec
13
Dec
14
Dec
16
Dec
17
Dec
18
Dec
19
Dec
20
Dec
21
Dec
23
Dec
Siliguri Corridor
Context
Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the significance of the Siliguri corridor as a crucial link to Northeast India and said that the presence of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in the area comes as an assurance to the entire country.
About Siliguri Corridor
- The Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken's Neck, is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that serves as the crucial land link between India’s northeastern states and the rest of the country.
- At its narrowest, it is only 17 km wide, making it a strategically sensitive region.
- Geographical Location
- Borders: The Siliguri Corridor is bordered by Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
- Route: It stretches from the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Terai areas of West Bengal towards India's northeastern states like Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and others.
- Why is it Called the 'Chicken's Neck'?
- The corridor is called the Chicken's Neck due to its narrow width and its significance as the only land route connecting India's northeastern states with the rest of the country. The name evokes an image of a vulnerable point, much like the neck of a chicken, where any disruption could cut off access to the northeastern region.
Strategic Importance of the Siliguri Corridor
- Geopolitical Importance: The Siliguri Corridor is the only bridge connecting India’s northeastern states to the mainland. It is critical for both military and civilian access. It is the gateway for India's movement of troops, supplies, and other military logistics to the eastern border areas, including those near China and Bangladesh.
- Economic and Commercial Importance: The Siliguri Corridor is a hub for trade, commerce, and tourism for several regions, including West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
- Connectivity for Rail and Road Networks: The Siliguri Corridor hosts a significant rail and road network connecting West Bengal to the northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
- Military Significance:
- The corridor is strategically important for military purposes as well. It connects military formations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially those opposite China.
- From New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station, multiple rail links extend towards important military locations. One of the critical routes moves towards Guwahati in Assam, and from there, a road network continues to the strategically important town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
- This connectivity is essential for moving defense personnel and supplies to regions along the LAC and other sensitive borders.
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
