Guwahati: Land-locked Himalayan nation Bhutan, is set to receive its first railway link as Indian Railways finalises the detailed project report (DPR) for a new track connecting Assam's Kokrajhar to Gelephu.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relation Officer for the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in a press release stated that the final location survey has been completed, and the DPR is now awaiting approval.
Indian Railways is actively advancing towards the Prime Minister’s vision of the ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Neighborhood First Policy’ by undertaking several new railway projects to enhance connectivity with neighboring countries.
In line with this vision, a new railway line from Kokrajhar to Gelephu linking Assam with Bhutan has been proposed to improve cross-border connectivity and strengthen bilateral ties.
Hon'ble Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the project during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati on 25th of February 2025.
The proposed railway line will span 69.04 km, linking Kokrajhar station in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan at an estimated cost of ₹3,500 crore. The project includes the construction of six new stations—Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri, and Gelephu. Additionally, the infrastructure plan features two key bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one road overbridge, 39 road underbridges, and two viaducts measuring 11 meters in length.
"The final location survey has been successfully completed and the DPR has been sub- mitted for further approval and necessary directives," the release said.
"The proposed railway line will significantly strengthen Indo-Bhutan relations by enhancing trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations. It will also improve connectivity, providing Bhutan with its first-ever railway link, facilitating seamless transportation," he said.
The railway line will position the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as a trade and transit hub, benefiting local businesses and communities.
The spokesperson further said that the proposed railway line is in keeping with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Act East Policy' and 'Neighbour- hood First Policy.’
