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Amit Shah Visits Siliguri Corridor, Announces 77 Cr Border Fencing Projects
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Siliguri corridor on Saturday, July 18, 2026, as part of a three‑day trip to West Bengal that ends on July 19. The minister inspected the Jhumagachh Border Outpost (BOP) of the 18th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Siliguri. He observed a range of technologies, including an intruder warning system, a radio‑based fence intrusion detection system, gate‑management software, and an indigenous border‑security system installed on a newly designed fence.
Shah posted on social media that the equipment “makes our borders an ideal example of modern border security.” He also chaired a high‑level meeting in Siliguri with senior BSF officers. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, members of parliament, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Border Management Secretary Rajendra Kumar, Intelligence Bureau Director Mahesh Dixit, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, senior state police officers, and district administration officials.
Earlier that day, State Minister Agnimitra Paul said the minister’s visit would focus on international border fencing and security in the Siliguri corridor, known as “Chicken’s Neck.” She noted that a Supreme Court directive had been issued to the previous government 15 years ago but that the issue had been politicised.
During the event, Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for and inaugurated development projects worth ₹77.06 crore. The projects include a 4‑km border fence to be built at a cost of ₹30 crore on newly acquired land for two border outposts in West Bengal. The minister said the government is establishing a quadrangular security grid to fortify the borders and that the welfare of security personnel and their families is a top priority.
The BSF has said it will expedite border fencing in coordination with other government departments. The Sundarbans, with its mangrove forests and river channels, remains a significant challenge for fencing.
Shah has repeatedly said that the BJP’s victory in West Bengal would plug “one of the biggest holes” in the country’s border security. He has called for a joint effort between central and state governments to turn the border into an “impenetrable fortress” for national security.
India shares a 4,096‑km border with Bangladesh, of which 2,217 km lies in West Bengal, 856 km in Tripura, and 267 km in Assam. According to official records, almost 80 % of the India‑Bangladesh border in West Bengal is already fenced.
The Siliguri corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” is a narrow strip of land that connects India’s mainland to its eight northeastern states. It is a logistical lifeline for over 40 million people and a critical route for military movements.
The minister’s visit and the inauguration of the ₹77 crore projects underscore the government’s focus on strengthening the corridor’s security infrastructure. The next steps include completing the 4‑km fence, expanding the quadrangular security grid, and addressing the challenges posed by the Sundarbans. The BSF’s continued coordination with state agencies and the implementation of the “Smart Borders” initiative are expected to further enhance surveillance and deterrence along the frontier.
The current situation remains that the Siliguri corridor is undergoing significant upgrades, with new fencing and technology installations underway. The government has announced further funding for border projects, and the BSF has committed to accelerating fencing work. No additional court proceedings or regulatory actions have been reported at this time.
Shah posted on social media that the equipment “makes our borders an ideal example of modern border security.” He also chaired a high‑level meeting in Siliguri with senior BSF officers. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, members of parliament, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Border Management Secretary Rajendra Kumar, Intelligence Bureau Director Mahesh Dixit, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, senior state police officers, and district administration officials.
Earlier that day, State Minister Agnimitra Paul said the minister’s visit would focus on international border fencing and security in the Siliguri corridor, known as “Chicken’s Neck.” She noted that a Supreme Court directive had been issued to the previous government 15 years ago but that the issue had been politicised.
During the event, Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for and inaugurated development projects worth ₹77.06 crore. The projects include a 4‑km border fence to be built at a cost of ₹30 crore on newly acquired land for two border outposts in West Bengal. The minister said the government is establishing a quadrangular security grid to fortify the borders and that the welfare of security personnel and their families is a top priority.
The BSF has said it will expedite border fencing in coordination with other government departments. The Sundarbans, with its mangrove forests and river channels, remains a significant challenge for fencing.
Shah has repeatedly said that the BJP’s victory in West Bengal would plug “one of the biggest holes” in the country’s border security. He has called for a joint effort between central and state governments to turn the border into an “impenetrable fortress” for national security.
India shares a 4,096‑km border with Bangladesh, of which 2,217 km lies in West Bengal, 856 km in Tripura, and 267 km in Assam. According to official records, almost 80 % of the India‑Bangladesh border in West Bengal is already fenced.
The Siliguri corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” is a narrow strip of land that connects India’s mainland to its eight northeastern states. It is a logistical lifeline for over 40 million people and a critical route for military movements.
The minister’s visit and the inauguration of the ₹77 crore projects underscore the government’s focus on strengthening the corridor’s security infrastructure. The next steps include completing the 4‑km fence, expanding the quadrangular security grid, and addressing the challenges posed by the Sundarbans. The BSF’s continued coordination with state agencies and the implementation of the “Smart Borders” initiative are expected to further enhance surveillance and deterrence along the frontier.
The current situation remains that the Siliguri corridor is undergoing significant upgrades, with new fencing and technology installations underway. The government has announced further funding for border projects, and the BSF has committed to accelerating fencing work. No additional court proceedings or regulatory actions have been reported at this time.
