India Reactivates Five Airstrips Along Bangladesh Border for Strategic Security

India is set to bring five abandoned airstrips along its border with Bangladesh back into operation to strengthen regional communication and ensure strategic security. The airstrips, located in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, are being upgraded to safeguard the highly sensitive Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which is the only land link connecting India’s northeastern states to the mainland.

According to the Times of India, this initiative comes at a time when India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations are reportedly at one of their lowest points in history. Defense analysts point to Bangladesh’s efforts to redevelop the Lalmonirhat airbase in Rangpur Division as a key factor behind India’s renewed focus on the corridor’s security.

While Bangladesh has stated that the airbase will serve national purposes only, Indian sources claim the country is preparing its military for any sudden contingencies in the border region. As part of this strategy, three new army bases, named “Lachit Barphukan,” have been established in border areas of West Bengal and Bihar, complementing the plan to reactivate five airstrips.

The targeted airstrips include Ambari and Panga in Jalpaiguri, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Jhaljhalia in Maldah, and Dhubri in Assam. Previously, the airstrips at Cooch Behar and Rupsi in Assam were successfully reactivated. The Airports Authority of India has handed operational responsibilities of West Bengal airfields to the state government, ensuring that these runways remain ready for emergency military operations, including rapid troop deployment and logistical support.

Defense sources note that decades of disuse have left many of the airstrips overgrown with jungle, damaged, or surrounded by settlements, posing technical challenges. While unsuitable for large aircraft, minor repairs are expected to allow helicopters and smaller military planes to operate during emergencies. India emphasizes the strategic importance of these airstrips to secure its northeastern region amid evolving geopolitical conditions.

Source: Times of India