Bullet train beneath Chicken's Neck? India's Delhi-Guwahati rail plan faces a massive hurdle

Chicken Neck challenge

India's proposed bullet train to Guwahati faces an extraordinary engineering challenge! The high-speed railway must cross the strategically important Chicken's Neck corridor, a narrow strip connecting the Northeast with the rest of India. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the train may have to travel underground or on an elevated track because of limited land availability. But how will engineers navigate one of India's most sensitive geographical corridors?

Underground possibility

A bullet train running beneath the Chicken's Neck? That could become a reality under India's ambitious Delhi-Guwahati high-speed rail plan! According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, the corridor is around 22 km wide and narrows to just 16 km in some stretches. With existing highways and railway tracks already occupying space, the project may require tunnels or elevated structures. However, the final route and technology have yet to be decided.

Cost explosion

Bringing bullet trains to the Northeast could come with a massive price tag! Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned that crossing the Chicken's Neck corridor may require double or triple the investment compared with a normal high-speed rail stretch. The proposed line will need dedicated tracks because bullet trains cannot operate on the existing railway network. The chief minister plans to discuss the engineering challenges with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Guwahati breakthrough

Guwahati nearly missed India's bullet train ambitions! According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Centre initially indicated that extending the proposed high-speed corridor beyond Siliguri might not be feasible. However, discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw helped secure Guwahati's inclusion in the North Corridor plan. The proposed route will connect Delhi with cities including Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri before reaching Assam. But several major planning hurdles remain.