India–Bhutan Railway Ties Enter a Historic Era
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
- Sep 29, 2025
- 395
For the first time in history, Bhutan is set to be connected to India’s vast railway network. On Monday, the Government of India announced two cross-border rail links totaling 89 km, marking a watershed moment in bilateral connectivity and economic integration.
The projects — Kokrajhar–Gelephu (Assam–Bhutan) and Banarhat–Samtse (West Bengal–Bhutan) — were formally agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thimphu in March 2024 and reaffirmed in New Delhi during the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary’s visit.
The Projects at a Glance
Kokrajhar–Gelephu Line (Assam to Bhutan)
Timeline: 4 years
Infrastructure: 6 stations, 2 viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, 2 goods sheds, 1 flyover, 39 underpasses
Strategic Value: Designed to handle Vande Bharat trains, offering Bhutan fast passenger and cargo connectivity
Banarhat–Samtse Line (West Bengal to Bhutan)
Cost: ₹577 crore
Timeline: 3 years
Infrastructure: 2 stations, 1 major flyover, 24 minor flyovers, 37 underpasses
Together, the projects will give Bhutan access to India’s 1,50,000-km rail grid, revolutionising cross-border movement of people and goods.
What Leaders Said
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri:
“This is the first set of rail connectivity projects between India and Bhutan — a milestone in our partnership.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw:
“These rail links will bring every benefit railways offer — trade, tourism, industrial growth, and closer people-to-people ties. For Bhutan, this means seamless access to the global economy.”
Economic & Strategic Significance
Trade lifeline: India accounts for 80% of Bhutan’s total trade; most of its imports and exports pass through Indian ports.
Development partnership: India has pledged ₹10,000 crore to Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029), doubling its previous commitment.
Connectivity push: Alongside rail, projects like the Darranga Integrated Check Post (Assam) and the Jogighopha Inland Waterways Terminal are reinforcing Bhutan’s links to India and beyond.
Energy cooperation: Five major hydropower ventures — Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu, Kurichhu, and Punatsangchhu II — already anchor the bilateral relationship.
Why This Matters
This is more than just track-laying. For Bhutan, it’s an entry into the South Asian transport ecosystem; for India, it’s a strategic reinforcement of its “Neighbourhood First” policy and a counter to China’s growing presence in the Himalayan region.
Once operational, these lines are expected to transform Bhutan’s economy — boosting tourism, expanding industrial opportunities, cutting logistics costs, and providing its people with unprecedented mobility.
A new chapter begins:
The sound of the first train chugging across the India–Bhutan border will not only mark a triumph of engineering but also a powerful symbol of trust, friendship, and shared prosperity in South Asia.