Siliguri is a subdivision under Darjeeling in West Bengal and connects the North Bengal region, Sikkim and the entire northeast India with the mainland India and has access to four international borders China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. It also is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the eastern India. Given its critical location, Siliguri facilitates the movement of Darjeeling Tea, floriculture, horticulture, movements of tourists and security forces. It also houses various educational institutions and is a paradise for students and people of adjoining areas who have moved in search of livelihood.
The development of Siliguri is complex and it needs to be critically planned to accommodate growing challenges such as environmental degradation, military jurisdiction of areas, its location in highly seismic zone and rise of informal unstructured markets while tapping into its strategic location, private investment, prevalence of proprietary business, gateway to tourism and access to world famous Darjeeling’s tea and Sikkim’s orchid among others.
With the rise in economic activity both formal and informal, growing population and geopolitical tensions. Siliguri is to be made resilient to internal and external shocks, the failure to which will adversely affect the population and be a threat to the nation’s security.
Siliguri’s strategic significance and vulnerabilities necessitate a well-rounded policy framework that addresses its unique challenges and opportunities. The key points that the policy should consider are as follows:
Administrative reforms: The governance of Siliguri mostly falls under the districts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri and very little of it falls under the Siliguri municipal corporation. To make a robust and holistic development and to develop critical infrastructure, there should be administrative reforms in which the important areas within 50 kms of the adjoining areas are developed collaboratively.
Permanent political solution for Darjeeling: The rise in geopolitical tension and political uncertainty in the neighboring countries and unsettled political aspirations of the people of Darjeeling may lead to political turmoil, the authorities should design permanent solutions to it, as given the landlock situation of Siliguri any uncertainty can adversely affect the nation’s security and entirety of northeast.
Scattered Development: Siliguri has been a hub for health care and education, it is very necessary for the administration of adjoining regions to develop critical healthcare facilities and robust education so that the population have access to critical healthcare and education and do not have to move to Siliguri for necessities.
Dual and Sustainable infrastructure: Siliguri is situated in a high seismic zone and the impact of dams on Teesta, and the sinking lands, have been immense. The development should be planned amidst environmental challenges, so that the defense and economic activities are not hampered at any cost. Sikkim shares borders with China, and the relations are still fragile, there is a need of developing alternate roadways and bypasses to enter Sikkim at the earliest, which would not only aid defense movement in Sikkim, but also decrease traffic congestion along NH-27 AND 29, which experiences heavy and frequent landslides.
Employment and Vocational training opportunities: Siliguri has the potential to be a hub for economic activity. A logistical hub with the state-of-the-art facility can comprehensively create employment opportunities, and similarly provision of vocational training will not only provide trained workforce but also give them the bargaining power against the tea garden owners.
Siliguri’s strategic importance requires a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to ensure its resilience in the face of internal and external challenges. The issues such as administrative inefficiencies, political instability, and environmental risks are crucial and needs to be addressed to secure its future as a key economic and security hub and strengthening infrastructure, ensuring balanced development, and fostering collaborative governance will enable Siliguri to thrive, benefiting not just its residents but also the entire region. With the right policies in place, Siliguri can become a cornerstone of growth, stability, and national security.
(The author is a public policy practitioner based out of New Delhi. Views are personal. Email: prayashbasnet212@gmail.com)
