News: Recently, the Government of India announced two major cross-border railway projects to link Bhutan with India’s northeastern and eastern regions.
About the India-Bhutan Railway Link
- Kokrajhar–Gelephu Line
- The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line will traverse Assam’s Kokrajhar and Chirang districts into Bhutan’s southern Sarpang region.
- Total Length: 69 km (connecting Assam in India with Gelephu in Bhutan). The Gelephu line will cover 2.39 km on the Bhutanese side and 66.66 km on the Indian side.
- Features: Six stations, two important bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one flyover, two goodsheds and 39 underpasses.
- Timeline: Estimated completion in four years.
- Banarhat–Samtse Line
- The Banarhat-Samtse stretch links West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district to Bhutan’s Samtse.
- Total Length: 20 km (connecting West Bengal in India with Samtse in Bhutan). Samtse line will cover 2.13 km of the Bhutanese side and 17.42 km of the Indian side.
- Features: Two stations, one major bridge, 24 minor bridges, one overpass, and 37 underpasses.
- Timeline: Completion targeted in three years.
- Both railway lines will be fully electrified, equipped with advanced signalling systems, and capable of running modern trains such as the Vande Bharat Express.
Significance for India of the Cross-Border Rail Projects with Bhutan
- Strategic and Geopolitical Interests
- The projects reinforce India’s primacy in Bhutan’s development partnership, ensuring that no third-country is involved in critical infrastructure near India’s sensitive northeastern borders.
- By anchoring Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City and Samtse industrial hub into Indian rail networks, India secures long-term influence over Bhutan’s economic orientation.
- Economic and Trade Benefits
- India already accounts for ~80% of Bhutan’s total trade; rail connectivity reduces transport costs and boosts bilateral commerce.
- It will also facilitate cost-effective import of Bhutanese minerals (dolomite, ferro-silicon, quartzite, stone chips) vital for Indian industries.
- Creates new opportunities for Indian exports, services, and investment in Bhutan’s growing urban and industrial hubs.
- Regional Growth and Integration: Assam and North Bengal stand to benefit from spillover economic activity, better logistics, and expanded employment opportunities.
- Diplomatic and Developmental Engagement
- These projects are a direct outcome of the 2024 India–Bhutan MoU and form part of India’s ₹10,000 crore commitment under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–29).
- India’s training of Bhutanese personnel in railway operations fosters institutional interdependence and long-term goodwill.
