Railway Ministry announces 2 railway links to offer easy connectivity to Bhutan
NEW DELHI : The Centre on Monday announced first set of two rail links totaling 89 km between India and Bhutan, i.e. Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal), at a cost of ₹4,033 crore. These two projects are part of the first set of rail connectivity projects between India and Bhutan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced at a press conference. The MoU for these projects was signed during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024 and a formal agreement was signed here on the occasion of the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary’s visit to New Delhi.
“India is the largest trading partner of Bhutan. Most of the EXIM trade of Bhutan is through Indian ports, therefore, it becomes very important to have seamless rail connectivity for the Bhutanese economy to grow, and for the Bhutanese people to have better access to the global network,” Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
The Minister said the 89-km rail links would provide Bhutan access to 1,50,000 km of the Indian railway network. While the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link would be developed over the next four years, the Banarhat-Samtse line would be constructed over a period of three years. The railway lines would be designed for running Vande Bharat trains.
The former had six stations, two viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two good sheds, one flyover and 39 underpasses.
The latter would include two stations, one major flyover, 24 minor flyovers, 37 under passes. It would be developed at a cost of ₹577 crore.
“This will provide a lot of economic benefits to the people, in terms of tourism, industrial growth, people-to-people movement, and goods movement. Practically, every benefit that railway brings will happen with this,” Mr. Vaishnaw added.
Developmental assistance
The Government of India has pledged ₹10,000 crore in developmental assistance to Bhutan for its 13th Five-Year Plan running from 2024 to 2029. This funding doubles the support provided during the 12th plan. Connectivity remains a mutual priority, with ongoing cooperation on rail and road infrastructure. An integrated check post was inaugurated at Darranga, Assam, in November 2024 to facilitate third-country nationals’ movement. Bhutan is also set to benefit from the Jogighopha Inland Waterways Transport Terminal, opened in February 2025. India is also Bhutan’s top trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan’s total trade. India remains Bhutan’s largest development partner, crucial to its modernisation and economic development. Significantly, the two nations have collaborated on five major hydropower projects — Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu, Kurichhu, and the recently completed Punatsangchhu II.