New Delhi, (UNI) India and Bhutan have agreed to establish two cross-border rail links between Banarhat and Samtse and Kokrajhar and Gelephu.
The railway connectivity project is on the basis of an MoU between Bhutan and India signed during the visit of the Bhutanese PM in March 2024. The MoU was formally be signed today in New Delhi between the Chairman of the Railway Board on the Indian side and the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary on the other side.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, said the project will connect two very important cities of Bhutan, Gelephu, which is being developed as a mindfulness city, and the second is Samtse, which is an industrial city. The two projects will take off from the network of Indian railways at Kokrajhar and Banarhat.
The investment envisaged is Rs 4,033 crore. The total length is about 90 km, he said at a briefing.
FS Vikram Misri said this project will enhance overall connectivity between the two countries.
“The two areas that have been picked are both significant in themselves. Gelephu, is the centerpiece of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, strategic and visionary project conceived of by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, and something that we have expressed our support for.
“And, this is a project that is envisaged as an economic hub for that part of Bhutan, and naturally because it borders on to Assam, that whole region, Assam is the border … there will obviously be an economic spin-off effect in the entire region, and the rail network will be an important part of that.
“Similarly, on Samtse, it is being developed as a major important industrial town in Bhutan focused on manufacturing, on export. Some of the potential exports from Bhutan to India from this area will involve dolomite, ferro-silicon, quartzite and stone chips. And the train will be for both cargo and passenger movement.”
A readout said that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held consultations today with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden.
The Foreign Secretaries reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral engagements and noted the progress achieved in all key areas of cooperation. Specifically, they welcomed the successful commissioning of all six units of 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project which is a major milestone in the realization of India-Bhutan Joint Vision on Energy Partnership.
They also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing development cooperation projects and initiatives being undertaken with Government of India support under Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan, which were progressing well and bringing tangible benefits to the people of Bhutan.
During the visit, an Inter-Governmental MoU for the Establishment of Railway Links between India and Bhutan was signed. The MoU envisages establishment of first set of cross-border rail links, connecting Kokrajhar & Gelephu, and Banarhat & Samtse.
These projects are part of our broader efforts to enhance connectivity between the two countries and will strengthen economic and people-to-people linkages.
