New Delhi: India and Bhutan will soon be further strengthened through rail connectivity. The two countries on Monday agreed to construct two new 90-kilometer railway lines and announced the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for the project. The total cost of these projects will be ₹4,033 crore.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav made this announcement at a joint press conference at the National Media Centre in New Delhi
Railway Minister Vaishnav stated that the first project, the Kokrajhar (Assam)-Gelephu (Bhutan) new rail line, will be 69 kilometers long and will involve an investment of ₹3,456 crore. It will be completed in four years. This line will benefit Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in Assam and Sarpang district in Bhutan. Upon completion, the project will enhance passenger and freight transportation. The Gelephu region of Bhutan is currently being developed as a "Mindfulness City." The new railway line will further enhance the city's importance and could become a new hub of economic activity between India and Bhutan.
He stated that the Kokrajhar Regional Station will be connected to major industrial centers like New Bongaigaon, connecting it to the entire Indian railway network. This new construction of approximately 70 kilometers will directly benefit the 1.5 lakh kilometer long Indian railway network. The project will include six stations, two major bridges, two viaducts, 29 major and 65 minor bridges, 39 underpasses, a flyover, and two sheds.
The Railway Minister stated that the second project is the Banarhat (India)-Samtse (Bhutan) new railway line. It will be 20 kilometers long and cost ₹577 crore. It is targeted to be completed in three years. This line will directly benefit Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal and Samtse district of Bhutan. The Bhutanese government is developing Samtse as an industrial town, which will boost regional industrial and commercial activities.
He stated that these rail projects will not only facilitate the movement of people but also deepen social and economic ties across the India-Bhutan border. The freight transportation facility will strengthen trade links between the two countries and boost tourism. This will provide a new impetus to socio-economic development between Northeast India and Bhutan.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian portion of the railway line will be funded by the Ministry of Railways, while the Bhutanese portion will be funded with financial assistance from the Government of India. This assistance will be provided by the Ministry of External Affairs under Bhutan's Five-Year Plan.
He stated that the relationship between India and Bhutan is based on extraordinary trust, mutual respect, and understanding. This relationship is being strengthened by cultural and civilizational ties, extensive people-to-people contacts, and shared development and security interests.
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