The new BJP-led government in West Bengal, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has taken a major strategic decision of clearing about 120 acres of land in the sensitive Siliguri corridor, popularly known as 'Chicken Neck,' for the Central Government.
“In our very first Cabinet meeting today, we have decided to transfer the land to the BSF. The process of transferring this land commences today. It will be transferred to the MHA within the next 45 days. Once this is accomplished, the BSF will complete the border fencing, and the ongoing issue of illegal infiltration will be resolved within a short period,” the CM said.
According to the authorities, the process of land transfer has already begun in North Bengal. 'Chicken Neck' or the Siliguri corridor is a very thin but very important stretch of land that connects mainland India to theortheastern states and is considered India's crucial security lifeline.
The corridor, in the geographical context, borders the international frontiers of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan as also in proximity to China. It can be said that it is one of the most sensitive strategic parts of India. In some portions, the corridor is only 20 to 22 kilometres wide, and it is quite vulnerable in case of geopolitical and military tension.
Security experts observed that 'Chicken Neck' is a vital segment in India's defence logistics and mobility as the country is extensively dependent on this route for troop movement, supply chain management and also for the movement to the eight northeastern states.
Officials said that the purpose for which the land will be utilised by the Centre has not yet been made public; however, it can be anticipated that the land will be used to raise defence-related facilities and structures or infrastructure for logistics, connectivity, and other strategic projects.
Sources said that such proposals had been rejected and kept pending by the state government earlier, when a different party was in power, but since the BJP government has come to power, it has quickly cleared the many pending proposals of the central government.
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According to political observers, this is a positive step and is indicative of a better synergy on issues of national security and governance between the state and the centre. The state government is already implementing several reforms for administrative as well as law-and-order machinery and has initiated action on pending cases.
Which lands are being transferred to the centre?
As many as 600 acres are transferred to BSF, on which the Bengal cabinet gave nod at the first sitting on May 11.
The segments handed over to NHAI include 329.6 km of NH-312 (Jangipur, Omarpur, Krishnagar, Bongaon and Basirhat up to Ghojadanga at the India-Bangladesh border). NH-31 (Bihar-West Bengal border to Gazole) and NH-33 (up to Farakka) are also part of these segments to the NHAI.
The other four segments were handed over to NHIDCL as new National Highways.
The Sevoke Army Cantonment-Coronation Bridge-Kalimpong-West Bengal-Sikkim border route is new NH-10.
The Hasimara-Jaigaon stretch up to the India-Bhutan border.
The Baradighi-Mainaguri-Changrabandha route up to the Bangladesh border.
The Siliguri-Kurseong-Darjeeling hill road.