“India’s Incredible Gift to Bhutan: A Railway Link Set to Redefine Connectivity! Shortly, traveling from India to Bhutan by direct train route will become a reality. In a historic breakthrough, India has unveiled an ambitious plan for Bhutan’s first-ever rail connection!” Discover more about India Bhutan Rail Link.
India Bhutan Rail Link: Railway Expansion in Bhutan
- Indian Railways plans to construct a 57km broad-gauge railway line connecting Kokrajhar in India to Gelephu in Bhutan.
- The estimated cost of the project is Rs 10 billion (approximately $129.9 million).
- This project marks the first railway construction in Bhutan.
- It is part of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) initiative to extend India’s rail network to neighboring countries.
- The project is set to be completed by 2026.
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BBIN Initiative
- The BBIN initiative aims to enhance connectivity and trade among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
- A BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) master plan for transport connectivity for BBIN countries was unveiled recently.
Bhutan-India Collaboration
- Representatives from the Indian and Bhutanese governments have met to discuss the construction of five railway lines outlined in a 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
- Bhutan has requested a rail link from Chilahati in Bangladesh to Haldibari in the Indian state of West Bengal, which would facilitate the transport of construction materials from Bangladesh to Bhutan.
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Chinese Rail Development in the Region
- China’s rapid rail and road construction activities in the northern border regions have spurred India’s railway expansion.
- China has built railways along its border with Arunachal Pradesh, and India is concerned about the proximity of these projects to its territory.
Indian Rail Expansion
- India has been expanding its rail network in the northeastern region, connecting Arunachal Pradesh to the Indian Railways network in 2014.
- In 2019, the Indian government approved several railway projects in Arunachal Pradesh, further boosting connectivity in the region.
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Cross-Border Rail Lines
- Progress is being made on various cross-border rail lines, including the Jaynagar – Kurta section of the Jaynagar – Bijalpura – Bardibas rail link inaugurated by the Indian and Nepalese prime ministers.
- Other projects include the Agartala-Akhaura railway line connecting India to Bangladesh and the Jogbani-Biratnagar route between India and Nepal.
India Bhutan Rail Link Project in a Nutshell
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| India-Bhutan Rail Link | • Kokrajhar (Assam) to Gelephu (Bhutan) Railway Line • 57km broad-gauge railway line. • Estimated cost: Rs 10bn ($US 129.9m). • Construction to start next year. • Bhutan’s first railway. • The project is set to be completed by 2026. |
| BBIN Initiative | • India’s plan to extend the rail network to neighboring countries. • Part of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) initiative. |
| India-Bhutan Collaboration | • Discussions to expedite construction of five railway lines. • Bhutan’s request for a rail link from Chilahati (Bangladesh) to Haldibari (West Bengal). |
| India-Nepal Rail Link | • Inauguration of the Jaynagar – Kurta section of the Jaynagar – Bijalpura – Bardibas rail link. |
| Cross-Border Rail Projects | • Discussions to expedite the construction of five railway lines. • Bhutan’s request for a rail link from Chilahati (Bangladesh) to Haldibari (West Bengal). |
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