The Centre is set to take control of some of Bengal’s most strategically significant highway stretches, including several routes passing through the sensitive Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck”, the narrow land link connecting the Northeast with the rest of India.
In one of its early decisions, Bengal’s new government has approved the transfer of seven national highway stretches from the state Public Works Department to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).
The move is expected to accelerate long-pending road repairs, widening and infrastructure upgrades. Apart from improving trade and connectivity, the decision also carries major strategic importance as the corridor is considered vital for defence and national security.
Five of the seven highway stretches fall within the Siliguri Corridor, a nearly 60-km-long strip that narrows to about 20-22 km at certain points. The corridor is bordered by Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, while China lies further north beyond Sikkim. Any disruption in this passage can affect connectivity with all eight northeastern states.
Security experts have long highlighted the need for stronger and wider roads in the region, especially after the 2017 Doklam standoff involving India and China and frequent landslides that repeatedly disrupt connectivity to Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills.
In a press statement, the chief secretary’s office said the Bengal government had granted “in-principle approval” for handing over the seven highway stretches to NHAI and NHIDCL.
The statement noted that the proposals had remained pending for nearly a year despite repeated requests from the central agencies. As a result, work on these stretches had remained stalled due to the absence of formal clearance.
The BJP had repeatedly criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government over the delay in transferring the highways to the Centre.
The party had also alleged that illegal immigration from Bangladesh had altered the demographic balance in north Bengal’s border districts, thereby increasing security concerns around the Siliguri Corridor. Following the fall of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BJP leaders had further raised concerns over anti-India rhetoric emerging from across the border regarding the corridor.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had maintained that border management was the Centre’s responsibility. However, BJP leaders argued that a “double-engine” government at both the Centre and the state was necessary to strengthen the vulnerable corridor.
Officials said the handover would help fast-track expansion and strengthening projects on highways crucial for defence movement, trade, tourism and regional connectivity.
Among the key stretches, NH10 — the lifeline connecting Sikkim — has frequently suffered damage during the monsoon, disrupting supplies to the Himalayan state. NH110, which links Darjeeling, has long faced issues such as landslides, subsidence and severe traffic congestion.
The chief secretary’s office said the seven stretches together would improve connectivity to Sikkim, Bhutan and Bangladesh, strengthen links between the Darjeeling hills, the Dooars and north Bengal with the national highway network, and enhance the Bihar-Bengal corridor through Malda and Murshidabad. The upgrades would also improve the highway network running through Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24-Parganas up to the Indo-Bangladesh border at Ghojadanga.
