India and Bhutan soon to have cross-border railway connection

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has revealed plans for two pioneering railway projects linking India and Bhutan, connecting Banarhat in West Bengal to Samtse and Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu.

These initiatives mark the first rail connections between the two nations.

The announcement was made during a special press briefing, with Misri noting that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for these projects was initially signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Bhutan last year. The MoU will be formally reaffirmed later today during the Bhutanese Foreign Secretary’s visit to India.

Highlighting the deep ties between the two countries, Misri stated, “India and Bhutan share a unique bond built on trust, mutual respect, and shared cultural heritage. Our relationship thrives on strong people-to-people connections and aligned developmental and security goals, reinforced by frequent high-level engagements.”

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw elaborated on the projects, describing Gelephu as a burgeoning “mindfulness city” and Samtse as an emerging industrial hub.

The rail lines will extend from India’s existing railway network at Kokrajhar and Banarhat, covering a combined distance of approximately 90 kilometres. The estimated investment for these projects is around Rs 4,033 crore.

The usual route to reach Bhutan from India is by road and certain border gates.