India and Bhutan are establishing their first-ever cross-border railway links, with the official announcement made on September 29, 2025. The two new rail links, valued at over ₹4,000 crore, will provide Bhutan with rail access to India's vast network and strengthen bilateral ties. 
The projects were agreed upon following a Memorandum of Understanding signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhutan in March 2024. India is fully funding the projects, and construction is expected to begin shortly. 

Rail links and project details
Two cross-border routes have been announced: 

Kokrajhar (Assam) to Gelephu (Bhutan)

• Length: 69 km.
• Cost: ₹3,456 crore.
• Alignment: 66.61 km in India and 2.39 km in Bhutan.
• Stations: Six new stations will be built.
• Infrastructure: Includes two major viaducts, nearly 100 bridges, and 40 underpasses.
• Timeline: Four years for completion.
• Significance: Gelephu is being developed as a "Mindfulness City" and this link will improve logistics for the project. 

Banarhat (West Bengal) to Samtse (Bhutan)

• Length: 20 km.
• Cost: ₹577 crore.
• Alignment: 17.42 km in India and 2.13 km in Bhutan.
• Stations: Two stations will be constructed.
• Infrastructure: Features two stations, 25 bridges, and 37 underpasses.
• Timeline: Three years for completion.
• Significance: This route will boost trade and connectivity to Samtse, an emerging industrial hub. 

Strategic importance and benefits
The projects are seen as a major milestone with significant benefits for both nations: 

• Enhanced Connectivity: For the first time, passengers and freight will be able to travel directly from India into Bhutan by train.
• Economic Opportunities: The links will boost bilateral trade, tourism, and foster greater economic engagement. Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that seamless rail connectivity is crucial since most of Bhutan's trade passes through Indian ports.
• Strategic Ties: The initiative reinforces the long-standing trust, friendship, and cultural ties between India and Bhutan.
• Developmental Support: This railway project is part of India's larger developmental assistance to Bhutan, which includes a ₹10,000 crore pledge for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029). 

Both projects will be fully funded by India and will provide Bhutan access to India's extensive 1,50,000 km railway network, facilitating trade, people-to-people connectivity, and economic growth. The rail lines will also have modern infrastructure including multiple bridges, stations, goodsheds, and electrification, supporting both passenger and freight services such as high-speed Vande Bharat trains.

These railway projects are part of India and Bhutan's deep-rooted relationship based on trust, cultural ties, and shared developmental interests, aiming to boost Bhutan's economy and enhance regional connectivity.

Download Pdf