Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 22:00 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Aug 21, 2026 16:27 [IST]
SILIGURI,: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre has taken comprehensive measures to strengthen security along the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor, widely referred as the “Chicken’s Neck”, including the establishment of security bases at three key locations.
Addressing a programmeorganised by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Ranidanga near Siliguri, Shah said the security of the narrow corridor connecting the Northeast with the rest of India was of paramount importance and that the Narendra Modi government was taking all necessary steps to safeguard it.
According to Shah, security arrangements are being strengthened from three strategic locations - Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, Kishanganj in Bihar and Dhubri in Assam. He said bases have already been established at these locations to strengthen the security grid around the Siliguri Corridor.
Shah also said that land was a major requirement for strengthening security infrastructure in the region. He stated that 560 acres of land required for the SSB-related infrastructure had been handed over by the West Bengal government.
Taking a political swipe at the previous State government, Shah said land had not been made available despite repeated requests earlier. He claimed that after the BJP-led government came to power in West Bengal, 1,129 acres of land had been handed over within 45 days for infrastructure and establishments related to the BSF and SSB.
The Union Home Minister also praised Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and thanked the people of West Bengal, saying national security had been an important consideration behind the mandate given to the BJP government.
Shah laid the foundation stones for several SSB infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 190 crore at Ranidanga. The projects are aimed at modernising SSB infrastructure, strengthening operational preparedness and improving residential and other facilities for its personnel.
The Union Home Minister highlighted the crucial role played by the SSB in guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, as well as in securing the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor.
Earlier, speaking about the security preparedness of the region, Shah said the government was strengthening border security through modern technology and a multi-layered security grid.
He said technologies such as drones and anti-drone systems, thermal imaging, AI-based surveillance, smart surveillance grids and real-time intelligence sharing were being integrated to make India's border security more advanced and effective.
Shah also underlined the importance of maintaining cultural coordination and friendly relations with neighbouring countries while ensuring that India's open borders remain secure.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista also attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Bista said the new SSB projects in the strategically important Siliguri region would modernise border infrastructure, enhance operational readiness and improve facilities for the personnel deployed in the region.
“SSB plays a vital role in guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan and in securing the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor, connecting the Northeast with the rest of India,” Bista said.
He said the projects represented another important step towards building “stronger, smarter and more secure borders”, adding that modern infrastructure, an advanced security grid and improved connectivity were transforming the region.
The Darjeeling MP further described the ongoing strengthening of the Siliguri Corridor as a significant development for national security and said the region was gradually becoming better equipped to meet emerging security challenges.
Referring to the cultural significance of the national song, Shah also spoke about Vande Mataram and its role in promoting cultural nationalism. He said the Centre had incorporated Vande Mataram into official programmes and expressed hope that the next generation would learn the song from the school level and draw inspiration from it for patriotism and national security.
The development assumes particular significance given the strategic location of the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow land link connecting the northeastern States with the rest of India. The government’s focus on strengthening infrastructure, surveillance and security bases around the corridor is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and enhancing preparedness in the region.
Shah said the government’s efforts were intended to ensure that the “Chicken’s Neck” remained secure, resilient and capable of responding effectively to emerging threats.
