On September 9, the Centre announced the first set of two rail links between India and Bhutan, the Kokrajhar-Gelephu line in Assam and the Banarhat-Samtse line in West Bengal, spanning a total of 89 km and costing Rs 4,033 crore.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced at a press conference that these two projects mark the first phase of rail connectivity between India and Bhutan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the projects was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024, followed by a formal agreement signed in New Delhi during the visit of the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, and the majority of Bhutan’s import-export trade passes through Indian ports. Therefore, seamless rail connectivity is crucial for the growth of the Bhutanese economy and to provide the Bhutanese people with improved access to the global network.”
The Minister stated that the 89-km rail links would connect Bhutan to India’s vast 1,50,000-km railway network. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line is expected to be completed within four years, while the Banarhat-Samtse line will be built over three years. Both routes will be designed to accommodate Vande Bharat trains.
The Kokrajhar-Gelephu project will feature six stations, two viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two goods sheds, one flyover, and 39 underpasses.
The Banarhat-Samtse line will include two stations, one major flyover, 24 minor flyovers, and 37 underpasses, with an estimated cost of Rs 577 crore.
“This will bring significant economic benefits, including boosts to tourism, industrial development, the movement of people, and the transport of goods. Essentially, all the advantages that railways offer will be realised through this project,” Vaishnaw added.
The Government of India has committed ₹10,000 crore in development assistance to Bhutan for its 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029), doubling the support extended during the 12th Plan. Connectivity continues to be a shared priority, with ongoing collaboration on rail and road infrastructure projects. In November 2024, an Integrated Check Post was inaugurated at Darranga, Assam, to facilitate the movement of third-country nationals. Additionally, Bhutan is set to benefit from the Jogighopha Inland Waterways Transport Terminal, which became operational in February 2025.
India remains Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of its total trade, and is also its most significant development partner, playing a vital role in Bhutan’s economic growth and modernisation. The two countries have also jointly developed five major hydropower projects, Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu, Kurichhu, and the recently completed Punatsangchhu II.
