Suvendu Adhikari’s Govt transfers 'Land Area' in the Region to Centre
It is yet again fulfilling a major and key promise of BJP's Sankalp Patra.
The Chief Minister announced the transfer of key highways, their maintenance and operations to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Effectively it means transfer of key stretches of national highways located in the crucial Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken Neck Corridor.
The corridor connects mainland India to the North-east region of the nation, serving as a logistical lifeline for over 40 million people.
This is vital for national security vis-a-vis border security and crucial military movements.
Responsibility for key roads, including NH-31, NH-33 and NH-312, will now go to NHAI.
NHIDCL will oversee projects such as the Sevok–Coronation Bridge stretch,
Hasimara–Jaigaon route and
Changrabandha corridor.
A total of 7 key road projects have been transferred to the Central Organisations.
'Chicken Neck' - Geo-Strategic Corridor
The shape of the landscape is thin and resembles a neck connecting the “body” of India to its northeast “head”.
The corridor is the vital route for transportation, trade, and communication with the northeastern states.
It does help establishing and boosting trade relations with not only neighbouring countries, but also with Members of ASEAN.
The handover of seven national highway stretches to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is unrelated to the BSF takeover.
These areas had previously been under the national highway wing of the state Public Works Department. According to an official statement, the handover proposals had been pending for nearly a year despite repeated requests from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
As is well known the Northeastern states are known for their rich resources such as hydropower, oil and natural gas, agricultural products, etc.
The Haldia-Barauni Pipeline is a vital crude oil and petroleum product transportation network in Eastern India, owned and operated by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). It ensures a steady supply of petroleum products.
Due to proximity to the Doklam plateau and China’s Belt and Road initiative, special attention needs to be paid to protect the region and maintain national integrity.
India inaugurated various infrastructure projects in the Siliguri Corridor, such as the Bharatmala Project, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal (BBIN), and railway electrification.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously approved the transfer of land to the Border Security Force for fencing the India-Bangladesh border during his first Cabinet meeting on May 11. The BJP leader said said process was being initiated immediately with the land handed over to the Home Ministry within 45 days to address the issue of illegal infiltration.
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