India and Bhutan are set to enter a new phase of regional cooperation with the announcement of two major cross-border railway projects worth Rs. 4,033 crores. The projects were formally introduced at a special media briefing in New Delhi, led by Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. He was joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri of the Ministry of External Affairs, who highlighted the broader vision and importance of these projects for both countries.
The new railway lines will directly connect Assam and West Bengal with Bhutan. The first project is a 69-kilometre line from Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan. The second is a 20-kilometre line linking Banarhat in West Bengal with Bhutan’s Samtse. Officials said these links will not only improve trade but also make travel easier for people on both sides of the border.
Gelephu and Samtse, the two Bhutanese towns at the heart of these projects, hold special importance. Gelephu is being developed by Bhutan as a “mindfulness city,” while Samtse is emerging as an industrial hub. Both are already important centres for exports and imports, located along Bhutan’s 700-km border with India. Improved railway access to these towns is expected to make the movement of goods, services, and people much faster and more reliable. 
To ensure timely progress, the Kokrajhar–Gelephu line has been declared a Special Railway Project. This means it will receive priority clearances, faster land acquisition, and streamlined approvals. The Indian Railways will take up construction on the Indian side, while the Government of India, through the Ministry of External Affairs, will provide financial support for the portion falling in Bhutan. This support will be included in Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Officials pointed out that since most of the railway infrastructure will be on Indian territory, India’s financial commitment will be much larger, but it will still extend full support to Bhutan in carrying out its share of the work.
Trade between India and Bhutan is already strong, with India being Bhutan’s top trading partner. The new railway links will further strengthen these ties by connecting Bhutan to India’s vast railway network and major ports. This will make import and export operations more efficient, reduce transport costs, and open new avenues for tourism. Bhutanese products will get easier access to Indian and global markets, while Indian businesses will also find smoother routes to supply goods to Bhutan.
The railway ministry has also assured that environmental concerns are being carefully addressed in the planning stage. Since the projects pass through sensitive Himalayan foothills, designs will focus on reducing ecological disruption. Coaches for the new railway lines will be built in India, reinforcing the government’s “Make in India” programme while also ensuring modern and reliable facilities for passengers.
“These new connections will open fresh opportunities, bring people closer, and take our partnership with Bhutan to greater heights,” Minister Vaishnaw said during the announcement.
