India is all set to strengthen its ties with its immediate neighbour, Bhutan, and this time, along the railway line. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the two cross-border railway projects to connect Bhutan with the Indian railway network, and the overall cost of the initiative is estimated at ₹4,033 crore.
As per the plan, the first railway line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan, covering 69 km, which is about 66.6 km in India and 2.4 km in Bhutan. The second line will run from Banarhat in West Bengal to Samtse in Bhutan, spanning 20 km, with 17.4 km in India and 2.1 km in Bhutan.
The Kokrajhar–Gelephu line, costing ₹3,456 crore, will cover six stations, two major bridges, 29 large bridges, 65 minor bridges, a flyover, and 39 underpasses. This might take 4 years for completion. The Banarhat–Samtse line, with a budget of ₹577 crore, will include two stations, one major bridge, 24 minor bridges, an overpass, and 37 underpasses, and is expected to be ready in three years.
Further, both lines will be fully electrified and equipped with modern signalling systems. With the new technology in place, these lines can also support advanced trains, including Vande Bharat.
Foreign Secretary Misri mentioned that the project is meant to expand trade and bring ease in connectivity. Also, now that Gelephu is being developed as a “Mindfulness City,” and Samtse as an industrial hub, it will open new areas for business. India will fund the domestic segments, while the Bhutanese sections will be supported under India’s aid to Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. These rail links are an excellent opportunity to increase trade, development, and employment for the people in Bhutan.
