According to reports from Bhutan Live, the Government of India has earmarked a substantial allocation of Rs 120 billion for an extensive expansion and modernization initiative aimed at enhancing railway infrastructure in the northeastern region of the country. This significant investment is expected to have a direct impact on the long-anticipated Bhutan-India railway link.

As per Bhutan Live's report, this ambitious railway project, estimated at Rs 10 billion, will span a distance of 57.5 kilometers. The railway line is designed to connect Kokrajhar in Assam, India, to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan. The anticipated timeline for the completion of this transformative project is set for 2026.

This development holds considerable promise for improving connectivity and facilitating trade and travel between the two neighboring nations, India and Bhutan. The modernization and expansion of railway infrastructure in the northeastern region of India are expected to play a pivotal role in realizing this critical cross-border railway link.

Just a month ago, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, hinted at the ongoing discussions between India and Bhutan regarding this transformative railway connection. Speaking to Indian media, he stated, "We are currently in negotiations for a railway link between Bhutan and Assam. Bhutan is keen to open more avenues for tourism, and this endeavour promises to benefit Assam significantly. The proposed railway link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, situated on the Assam border, could be a game-changer, promoting both trade and tourism."

According to reports, the railway project holds the potential to serve as a significant breakthrough, facilitating the export of goods, fostering cultural exchange, and further strengthening bilateral ties between Bhutan and India.

The project's genesis can be traced back to the Bhutanese Prime Minister's inaugural visit to India in 2018, during which discussions around its implementation began to gain momentum.

The upcoming construction of the Gelephu-Kokrajhar rail link is seen as a pivotal step forward, with expectations that it will open doors for additional railway projects in the southern and eastern regions of both countries. These prospective developments are anticipated to encompass areas such as Samtse, Phuentsholing, Nganglam, and Samdrupjongkhar, thereby enhancing connectivity across the nations' borders.

Notably, Bhutan and India initially formalized their commitment to this transformative vision back in 2005 when they entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. This historic agreement solidified their shared aspiration to establish a comprehensive railway network that would interconnect the bordering towns of both nations.

As the wheels of progress continue to turn, the realization of this ambitious Bhutan-India railway link draws nearer, promising the advent of a new era marked by enhanced connectivity and cooperative endeavors.

Image source: MSN