Slender is the Corridor

Is 22 kilometres (kms) adequate enough for an emotional connection? The famed Siliguri Corridor is 22 kms wide at its narrowest point, a rectangular box of about 400 sq kms (20x22 kms), and has multi-dimensional aspects connected to it: strategic, economic, emotional and political. Have we recognised the importance of this 22 kms strip? Strategically yes, but what about other issues, which connect a nation? Have we connected with it politically and emotionally? While we have been late in recognising the importance of connecting with the corridor, both politically and emotionally, we have of late, tried to make amends with the Look East Policy (LEP) and thus, are on the right track. The North-East of India is a region of turbulence owing to its unstable political scenarios and strings of localised insurgency movements. The Siliguri Corridor being the only connecting link between India and its turbulent north-eastern region is extremely crucial, as there are major connectivity linkages such as roads and railway networks that run through it.