Siliguri, India

This "Chicken's Neck" corridor is a logistical headache. The city of Siliguri, home to 218,718 people, sits at the center of a vital but vulnerable land route connecting India's mainland to its northeastern states. All transportation in and out of the region funnels through this narrow strip, making it a crucial choke point. Bureaucracy is a persistent challenge, with complex customs and security procedures slowing the flow of goods and people. And the threat of a Chinese military advance cutting off the corridor remains a persistent security concern. For those who can tolerate the hassle, Siliguri is a strategic transit hub, but hardly an ideal place to live.