Government Denies Rumors of New Union Territory Near Siliguri Corridor

The government has officially denied claims circulating on social media about the creation of a new Union Territory that would merge districts from Bihar and West Bengal near the Siliguri corridor. The Press Information Bureau clarified that these rumors are unfounded and urged the public to verify information from official sources. The Siliguri Corridor, a strategically vital passage, connects mainland India to its northeastern states, and the government reassured that no proposals for a new Union Territory are under consideration. This clarification comes amidst growing concerns about security in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 7, 2026, 13:27 IST

Clarification on Union Territory Claims

New Delhi, March 7: On Saturday, the government refuted claims circulating on social media regarding the establishment of a new Union Territory that would merge certain districts from Bihar and West Bengal adjacent to the strategically significant Siliguri corridor.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), which serves as the official fact-checking body for the government, emphasized that these assertions are unfounded and cautioned the public against trusting unverified information shared online.

"Social media posts are alleging that the government intends to form a new Union Territory comprising districts from Bihar and West Bengal near the Siliguri corridor. This assertion is false," the PIB stated in a post on X.

The agency further clarified that there are no discussions taking place within the government regarding the creation of such a Union Territory.

"There is no proposal under consideration by the Government of India," the PIB reiterated, stressing that the information being disseminated on social media is misleading.

The PIB advised the public to be vigilant when sharing information online, stating, "Always verify information from official sources before sharing."

This clarification followed numerous social media posts that suggested the Centre was contemplating the formation of a new Union Territory by merging districts from Bihar and West Bengal to enhance security around the Siliguri Corridor.

Rumors indicated that the proposed territory would encompass districts from Bihar such as Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar, along with West Bengal districts like Malda and Uttar Dinajpur.

These unverified posts implied that the initiative was part of efforts to bolster security in the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor.

The rumors gained traction by emphasizing the corridor's strategic significance, as this narrow land passage is crucial for connecting India's northeastern region with the rest of the country.

However, the Centre has now confirmed that no official proposal exists regarding the establishment of any new Union Territory in the area.

The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as India's 'Chicken's Neck', is a narrow land passage located in northern West Bengal around the city of Siliguri.

At its narrowest point, the corridor measures approximately 20 to 22 kilometers in width and extends for about 60 kilometers in length. Despite its limited width, it holds immense strategic and logistical importance for the country.

The corridor serves as the sole land route connecting mainland India to its eight northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Sikkim—making it a vital economic, transportation, and military lifeline for over 45 million residents in the region.