The Indian government has set aside 120 billion rupees for the extensive expansion of railway infrastructure in India's north-eastern region. According to Bhutan Live, this move will facilitate the long-awaited first-ever Bhutan-India railway link. The Indian government has fully funded a 57.5-kilometer railway line that will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan. The project is expected to be finished by 2026.
S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, hinted at ongoing discussions between India and Bhutan about this transformative railway connection just a month ago.
"We are currently in negotiations for a railway link between Bhutan and Assam. Bhutan is keen to open more avenues for tourism, and this endeavour promises to benefit Assam significantly. The proposed railway link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, situated on the Assam border, could be a game-changer, promoting both trade and tourism," Jaishankar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The project holds the promise of being a groundbreaking development, facilitating the export of goods, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Bhutan.
The foundation for this transformative railway vision was laid during the first visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister to India in 2018. The commencement of the Gelephu-Kokrajhar rail link construction is expected to pave the way for additional railway projects in the southern and eastern regions of both nations, encompassing areas like Samtse, Phuentsholing, Nganglam, and Samdrupjongkhar.
Notably, Bhutan and India formally committed to this shared vision in 2005 when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding, solidifying their aspiration to connect the bordering towns of the two nations through a comprehensive railway network.
The Bhutan-India railway link is getting closer to becoming a historic reality, ushering in a new era of connectivity and cooperation. Bhutan shares a 605-kilometer (376-mile) border with India, which is the country's largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports.