Assam CM Says New Siliguri Corridor Railway Tunnel to Boost Northeast Connectivity with Rest of India.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently welcomed the proposed underground railway tunnel through the Siliguri Corridor, calling it a “game-changing initiative” that will enhance connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of India while ensuring uninterrupted movement of passengers and goods.

In a post on X, CM Sarma said the project would reinforce India’s strategic and economic links with the Northeast, a region long reliant on the narrow Siliguri Corridor—often called the “Chicken’s Neck”—for surface connectivity. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that the tunnel reflects the Centre’s commitment to national integration and balanced regional development.

“The proposed underground railway tunnel through the Siliguri Corridor will further cement connectivity to the Northeast region and provide an uninterrupted link for the movement of passengers and goods. Gratitude to Adarniya @narendramodi ji for envisaging this game-changing idea,” Sarma tweeted.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly highlighted the strategic vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor, describing it as both a logistical lifeline and a sensitive national security zone. He has stressed the need for multiple, resilient connectivity options to safeguard economic activity and mobility in the region, noting that dependence on a single surface route could disrupt access during natural disasters, accidents, or other emergencies.

Officials said the tunnel would provide a protected, all-weather route, significantly reducing such vulnerabilities. The project is also expected to boost trade, tourism, and industrial growth in the Northeast by enabling faster and more reliable transportation of goods and raw materials.

Political observers note that the project aligns with the Centre’s broader Act East and Viksit Bharat initiatives, positioning the Northeast as a gateway to Southeast Asia. With ongoing investments in highways, railways, bridges, and waterways, the proposed tunnel is seen as another strategic step toward fully integrating the region into India’s economic mainstream.

The Assam government believes enhanced connectivity through the tunnel will unlock new growth opportunities while addressing long-standing infrastructural and strategic challenges associated with the Chicken’s Neck corridor.