New Delhi, September 29: India and Bhutan are set to be connected by rail for the first time, with two major railway projects worth Rs 4,033 crore fully funded by the Indian government. The announcement was made on Monday by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations.
The ambitious India-Bhutan Railway Project will link Bhutan’s Gelephu and Samste towns to India’s vast railway network. The Kokrajhar–Gelephu line will connect Bhutan to Bongaigaon, one of India’s major industrial hubs, while the Banarhat–Samtse line will enhance connectivity with West Bengal. Together, these projects will provide Bhutan with its first-ever rail connectivity, opening new avenues for economic growth, trade, and cultural exchange.
Speaking on the initiative, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The Kokrajhar–Gelephu line connects to Bongaigaon, a major industrial hub in India. By constructing approximately 70 km of new track, Bhutan gains access to 150,000 km of India’s railway network. This demonstrates the significant advantage of the network effect.”
The total length of the project will be about 90 km, including 89 km of new railway track. Of this, the 16-km Banarhat–Samtse stretch will directly link West Bengal to Bhutan’s Samtse, an industrial city, while Gelephu—being developed as a “mindfulness city”—will be connected to Kokrajhar in Assam.
Highlighting the project’s significance, Vaishnaw added, “India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, and most of its exempt trade is conducted through Indian ports. Seamless railway connectivity will be crucial for Bhutan’s economy to integrate with the global network.”
The foundation for the project was laid during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024, when both nations agreed to establish the two rail links. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described India-Bhutan ties as “a relationship of exceptional trust, mutual respect, and understanding,” emphasizing India’s role in Bhutan’s modernisation and infrastructure development.
Misri also noted that for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029), India has committed Rs 10,000 crore, double the amount allocated under the 12th Plan, covering high-impact community projects, economic stimulus, and program grants.
