India and Bhutan are building a new international railway line to boost cross border trade
The Indian government is advancing its connectivity agenda with Bhutan by developing a 69-kilometer international railway line linking Kokrajhar in India to Gelephu in Bhutan. This historic project marks the first cross-border rail connection between the two nations, spanning districts in Assam to the Sarpang region of Bhutan. It aims to significantly improve regional integration, boost bilateral trade, and provide Bhutan with direct access to the wider Indian railway network.
The project has been officially granted Special Railway Project status to expedite land acquisition and regulatory clearances. It involves a central government investment of 3,500 crore rupees. Officials aim to complete the construction within three years of its commencement, supporting Bhutan’s upcoming Mindfulness City development in Gelephu. This initiative serves as a key pillar of India's Act East policy.
Project Infrastructure and Stations
The upcoming rail link will feature robust infrastructure designed to ensure seamless travel and freight movement. The route will include six new stations, namely Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri, and Gelephu. To handle the terrain efficiently, the project engineering plan incorporates 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one road overbridge, 39 road underbridges, and two 11-meter-long viaducts.
Funding and Future Plans
Financial backing for the initiative is a collaborative effort between nations. The Indian Ministry of Railways will fund the Indian segment, while the Bhutanese portion will be supported by the Ministry of External Affairs as part of the 10,000 crore rupees development assistance package committed for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029). Furthermore, beyond the Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, a separate 20-kilometer rail project connecting Banarhat in West Bengal to Samtse in Bhutan, with an estimated cost of 577 crore rupees, is also under proposal to further strengthen bilateral ties.