By GUWAHATI: In a big boost for travel and business, the railway project connecting Assam in India to Bhutan is moving forward quickly. Officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) announced on Monday that the rail link between Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan) is expected to be finished within the next three years.
This project is a major step in making travel easier between the two neighboring countries. Once the work starts officially, the team aims to complete the tracks and stations in a short timeframe of 36 months.
Connecting Assam and Bhutan
The main project is a 69-kilometer-long railway line. It will start from Kokrajhar in Assam and go all the way to Gelephu, which is a very important business center in Bhutan. The Bhutanese government is currently developing Gelephu as a “Mindfulness City,” making it a key destination for both tourism and economy.
NFR General Manager, Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, explained that there are actually two cross-border projects in the works. While the Assam-Bhutan line is 69 km long, there is another planned 20-km line that will connect Banarhat in West Bengal to Samtse in Bhutan.
Fast-Track Progress in Assam
The railway officials praised the Assam state government for its help. Hitendra Goyal, a senior NFR official, mentioned that the local government has been very supportive. Because this project is so important, it has been labeled a “Special Railway Project.” This special status helps the government get land and permissions much faster than usual.
Challenges in West Bengal
While the work in Assam is looking positive, the project in West Bengal is facing some delays. The 20-km line to Samtse needs to pass through four different tea gardens. Officials said that getting the land for this track has been difficult, and the West Bengal government has been slow to respond. Because of these land issues, the railway department cannot yet say when the West Bengal-Bhutan link will be finished.
Why This Railway Matters
India’s Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, had previously highlighted how these trains will change the region. Gelephu and Samtse are big hubs for buying and selling goods. The train will make it cheaper and faster to move products across the border. Better transport will encourage more people to visit the beautiful landscapes of Bhutan and the vibrant culture of Northeast India. By making it easier for people to visit each other, the railway will strengthen the bond between the people of India and Bhutan.
With the three-year target set for the Assam-Bhutan route, residents and business owners in the Northeast are excited. This railway is not just about tracks and engines; it is about building a bridge to a better, more connected future for both nations.
The 69-km India-Bhutan railway line connecting Kokrajhar (Assam) to Gelephu is expected to be completed within three years. Declared a Special Railway Project, it aims to boost cross-border trade, tourism, and regional connectivity. While progress in Assam is fast-tracked, the 20-km West Bengal-Samtse link faces land acquisition delays. The project is set to strengthen economic and cultural ties between India and Bhutan.
