"No More ‘My Heart Goes for Assam": Nation Will Defend from Assam’s Soil, Says CM Sarma

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday underscored the strategic vulnerability and geopolitical significance of the Northeast, stating that the region remains connected to the Indian mainland through the narrow Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the “Chicken Neck.”

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that critical infrastructure projects are being undertaken with strategic backing from the Government of India and the Indian Army to safeguard national security and ensure uninterrupted connectivity in the event of any hostile action.

“The situation of the Northeast is very strategic, and it is connected to the mainland with a 22-kilometre Chicken Neck. In case of war, if somebody bombs Bogibeel Bridge or Koliabhumra Bridge, connectivity will be lost. That is why these projects are strategic and are backed by the Indian Army. There are four stakeholders—Indian Army, Government of Assam, NHAI DCL and Indian Railways,” Sarma said.

He said the Gohpur–Numaligarh twin tunnel project, originally conceived to bypass Kaziranga National Park, later evolved into a strategic defence corridor following consultations at the highest level with the late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

“The project was conceived then as a strategic project of the Northeast. Two projects were discussed— a two-lane railway line beneath the Chicken Neck and the Gohpur–Numaligarh twin tunnel,” he said.

Referring to the anti-CAA protests and statements made by certain individuals during that period, the Chief Minister said such remarks had raised serious security concerns at the national level.

“During the CAA protest, it was told that the Chicken Neck will be cut off and the Northeast will be taken away. Sharjeel Imam’s statement on the matter was taken very seriously. A statement coming out from JNU was taken seriously. After becoming the Chief Minister, this matter was discussed at the highest level,” Sarma said, adding that the next phase of planning includes building a highway beneath the Chicken Neck.

He further said that an Indian Army base has been established in Dhubri to strengthen military preparedness.

“From Siliguri to Hasimara to Rangiya, there were no army base camps. Thus, to protect the Northeast and Assam, a base camp has come up,” he said.

Highlighting the strategic significance of the newly inaugurated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Moran, Sarma said the project is critical for national defence preparedness.

“Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) Moran is a high-stake project. Yesterday many mocked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 'Samosa' and Tea, but this project is for strategic security. If anybody bombs Dibrugarh airport, how will flights take off? How will fighter jets fly? ELF Moran was built in a strategic location—200 kilometres from China and 70 kilometres from Myanmar,” he said.

He said the presence of the Prime Minister and the Air Chief Marshal in Moran was a strong signal of India’s preparedness.

“Yesterday, the Air Chief Marshal and Prime Minister in Moran were not for a tea party. It was a very strong message that India is ready to face any enemy country,” Sarma said.

Referring to India’s 1962 conflict experience, Sarma said the current government is determined to ensure that such vulnerabilities are never repeated. “When the message was given during the Indo-China war by the then Congress government that we cannot protect Assam and Northeast, they said, "My heart goes for the people of Assam." But today, PM Modi and the government have decided that such statements should not be uttered anymore. From now onwards, no Prime Minister will say ‘My heart goes for Assam,’ rather will say, ‘We will defeat the enemy from the soil of Assam,’” he said.

The Chief Minister said Assam will act as a strategic backup state after Arunachal Pradesh, where multiple infrastructure projects are underway, including a proposed railway line to Tawang and major highway corridors. He described the Moran ELF, Gohpur–Numaligarh tunnel and the railway corridor beneath the Chicken Neck as “very, very important strategic projects.”

Sarma also revealed that the state government is working on a new proposal for a Jagi Road semiconductor corridor connecting Morigaon, Darrang and Udalguri up to Bhutan. “It is under active consideration and can be announced at any time,” he said.

Tunnel Project to Transform Connectivity and Security

The Gohpur–Numaligarh twin tunnel project is expected to significantly transform regional connectivity and logistics. The current travel distance of 240 kilometres between Gohpur and Numaligarh, which takes about six hours, will be reduced to 34 kilometres with a travel time of just 20 minutes. The tunnel will provide an alternative route bypassing Kaziranga National Park, safeguard environmental and navigational interests, enhance border connectivity, boost tourism, and generate an estimated 80 lakh human-days of employment.

The project, the first of its kind in India, will feature twin two-lane highway tubes, with one tube designed for combined rail and road use during exigencies. Cross passages will be built every 500 metres, and the tunnel will run at a depth of up to 57 metres beneath the riverbed. It will connect the Rangia–Mukongselek railway section on the Gohpur side with the Furkating–Mariani loop line on the Numaligarh side.

Infrastructure Push Across Assam

Sarma said the pace of development in Assam over the last decade has been unprecedented. He announced that studies for four new airports in Majuli, Diphu, Umrangso and Manas will begin soon to improve regional connectivity. He also said every region will have bridges over the Brahmaputra in addition to the existing ones.

Criticising opposition leaders, Sarma said they failed to understand the seriousness of governance and security challenges. “In order to run a government and in order to run the security of a state, a person needs to know the depth of it. You have to understand the vulnerability we live with in Assam and the Northeast. We are surrounded by China, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They have to understand the depth of national security,” he said.

He concluded by asserting that Assam will remain at the forefront of India’s strategic defence and infrastructure roadmap, ensuring that the Northeast remains secure, connected and economically empowered.

Also Read: Gamechanger: Numaligarh- Gohpur Travel Time Slashed to 20 minutes with India's First Underwater Road Cum Railway Tunnel