Chicken’s Neck: 40-km underground rail corridor to connect Northeast with rest of India, says Vaishnaw

Centre plans 40 km underground rail lines to connect Northeast with rest of India: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Indian Railways is planning to lay underground railway tracks along a 40-km strategic corridor in West Bengal’s Siliguri region, a vital link connecting the Northeast with the rest of India, said Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The narrow land stretch, often referred to as the “chicken’s neck”, is considered strategically critical due to its geography and security significance.

Addressing reporters via video conference on the Union Budget allocation for the Railways, Vaishnaw said, “There is special planning for the 40-km strategic corridor connecting the North East with the rest of the country. The planning is on to lay underground railway tracks, and also make the existing tracks four-line.”

This is BIG. For decades, the “Chicken’s Neck” has been used as an intimidation tactic by anti-national forces, both within and beyond our borders. The proposed underground rail link marks a major strategic breakthrough, creating a secure and foolproof transportation corridor… pic.twitter.com/8lypj7MoZJ

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 3, 2026

Underground stretch for security

Providing further details, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the proposed underground section will run between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani railway stations in West Bengal.

“This underground stretch is important from a security point of view,” he added.

Railway Budget 2026: Allocation for Assam and Northeast

The Railway Ministry has earmarked Rs 11,486 crore for Assam and the Northeastern states in the Union Budget 2026. Vaishnaw said projects worth Rs 72,468 crore are currently underway across the region, while surveys for new projects are also in progress.

“Railway projects worth a total of Rs 72,468 crore are currently underway in the region, and surveys for several new projects are also in progress,” the minister said.

Infrastructure expansion underway

According to the Railways, the investment spans track construction, station redevelopment and safety upgrades across Assam and the Northeast.

“This massive investment covers track creation, station redevelopment, and safety enhancements across the entire state,” Vaishnaw said.

Rapid rail network growth

Indian Railways said the rail network in Assam and the Northeast has expanded significantly over the past decade.

“Since 2014, approximately 1,900 km of tracks have been constructed. This is more than the entire rail network of Sri Lanka,” the national transporter said in a statement.

Electrification milestones

Several Northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram, have achieved 100 per cent railway electrification. Assam has reached 98 per cent electrification. “In Assam & NE 2,839 km of rail lines electrified since 2014,” it said.

Train services in the region

The Railways said one pair each of Vande Bharat Express and Vande Bharat Sleeper trains is currently operating in the region, along with three pairs of Amrit Bharat Express services.