All moves point to Modi government's firm push for a full scale Fortification of Siliguri Corridor!

The Modi government's strategic infrastructure push is rapidly fortifying India's access to Northeast (NE) states, securing the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor "Chicken's Neck" against external threats. Recent Emergency Landing Facility (ELF): On February 13, 2026, PM Modi inaugurated NE's first 4.2-km ELF on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, Assam (Rs 99.86 crore, completed 2025). It supports fighter jets up to 40 tonnes and transports up to 74 tonnes, with no central divider for seamless ops—enhancing IAF surge capacity near China border. Underground Rail Corridor: Union Budget 2026 allocates funds for a 40-km tunnel-based rail line through Siliguri Corridor, announced by Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It bypasses surface vulnerabilities, boosts capacity, and ensures resilient connectivity amid record railway capex. Special NE Funds: MoRTH boosted NHIDCL allocation to Rs 86 billion (from Rs 61 billion) for 2025-26 NE highways; broader schemes like NESIDS (Rs 1,200 crore+ annually) target roads, rails, and defence infra. These moves signal full fortification of mainland-NE links by 2030, blending dual-use assets for security and development.