Group Opposed India-Bangladesh Power Corridor Project
Citizens for National Interest called for a halt to the proposed 765 kV transmission line through Bangladesh.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Utilities
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The organization Citizens for National Interest has formally opposed a proposed 765 kV electricity transmission corridor that would route through Bangladesh. The group is demanding that the project be paused until the government meets a seven-point charter concerning national sovereignty.
Why it matters
The project aims to bypass India's strategic Siliguri Corridor, a narrow bottleneck connecting mainland India to its northeastern states. Critics argue the plan involves asymmetric concessions and cite ongoing tensions regarding border actions as reasons for their opposition.
The proposed 765 kV corridor is designed to bypass the Siliguri Corridor, which measures between 17 and 22 kilometers in width. This effort follows a period where at least 2,300 individuals were forcibly pushed back into Bangladesh between May 2025 and January 2026.
The players
Citizens for National Interest
This organization advocates for policy decisions centered on national sovereignty and border security.
Indian Ministry of Power
This government agency oversees the development and regulation of India's electricity infrastructure and energy projects.
The details
The project, initiated by a joint state statement in 2019, intends to link Katihar in Bihar to Bornagar in Assam. It has proceeded through clearances from the Indian Ministry of Power despite broader regional instability, including recent Himalayan flash floods and the upcoming expiration of the Ganges Treaty.
Timeline
The project was initiated through a joint state statement on October 5, 2019.
Himalayan flash floods occurred in 2024 and 2025.
At least 2,300 individuals were pushed back into Bangladesh between May 2025 and January 2026.
The Ganges Treaty is set to expire in 2026.
The project targets completion by October 2028.
Market Landscape
The project development timeline remains sensitive due to the impending expiration of the Ganges Treaty, which establishes a framework for regional water sharing. This infrastructure push represents a major effort to bypass the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor and consolidate energy security in the region.
The delay or cancellation of this transmission line could stall efforts to improve energy reliability in the northeastern states. Consumers and businesses in the region should prepare for potential uncertainty regarding future energy grid development.
The takeaway
Large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects remain highly susceptible to political shifts and border diplomacy. Stakeholders should monitor regional treaties and sovereignty disputes as primary indicators of potential project delays.
Further reading
Learn more about major energy infrastructure developments in the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Unb.
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