The "Chicken’s Neck" or "Siliguri Corridor" in India

Solution

• The "Chicken’s Neck", officially known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a strategically vital narrow strip of land in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. • It is approximately 22 kilometers wide and connects mainland India to its eight northeastern states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim). Geographical Importance: • Lies between Nepal to the west, Bangladesh to the south, and Bhutan to the north. • It is the only land link between the Indian mainland and the North-Eastern region, making it crucial for transportation, defense, and trade. Strategic Importance: • Due to its narrow width, the corridor is considered a strategic vulnerability in India’s defense geography. • Any disruption here could potentially isolate the entire Northeast from the rest of India. • It is heavily guarded and monitored by the Indian Armed Forces.