India has announced plans to reactivate five old airbases located close to the Bangladesh border as part of measures to strengthen security around the strategically crucial Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck.” The decision comes amid signs of deteriorating diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, according to a report by The Times of India.
The airbases, originally built by the British during World War II, are located at Ambari and Panga in Jalpaiguri district, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Jhaljhalia in Malda, and Dhubri district in Assam. Indian government sources said these facilities will be reactivated in phases.
Officials indicated that the primary reason behind the move is growing security concern linked to recent strains in India–Bangladesh relations. The Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land measuring only 20 to 22 kilometers at its widest point, connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country, making it one of India’s most sensitive strategic zones.
During World War II, the then British colonial administration established several airbases across present-day West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura to counter advancing Japanese forces in Myanmar and the northeastern region. An airbase was also built at Lalmonirhat in what is now Bangladesh.
Indian officials told The Times of India that New Delhi recently received information suggesting that the Bangladeshi government has decided to reconstruct the Lalmonirhat airbase. Following this development, India accelerated its plans to revive airbases in its eastern and northeastern regions.
Amid the diplomatic strain, India has already increased its military presence along border areas. New military installations have reportedly been set up in Chopra in West Bengal, Kishanganj in Bihar, and the Lachit Barphukan area of Dhubri district in Assam.
From a strategic standpoint, the Siliguri Corridor holds immense importance for India, as it serves as the sole land link between the mainland and the seven northeastern states. The corridor also lies close to the borders of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, further heightening its geopolitical sensitivity.
