After setbacks in Bangladesh and Myanmar, India fast-tracks first rail link to Bhutan

India has accelerated plans for a ₹3,500 crore rail project to connect Bhutan, following delays in its initiatives to establish railway links with Myanmar and Bangladesh due to political instability and conflict.

The proposed 69km rail line will link Kokrajhar in Assam's Bodoland region with Gelephu in Bhutan, marking the Himalayan nation's first-ever railway connectivity, reports Deccan Herald. 

The project includes six new stations—Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri, and Gelephu—as well as major infrastructure developments such as two significant bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one road over bridge, 39 road under bridges, and two viaducts measuring 11 metres.

"The Final Location Survey (FLS) has been successfully completed, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted for approval and necessary directives," said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, chief public relations officer at the Northeast Frontier Railway headquarters in Guwahati.

Strengthening Indo-Bhutan relations

Sharma highlighted that the railway line would deepen ties between India and Bhutan by fostering trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. 

"It will also improve connectivity, providing Bhutan with its first-ever railway link, facilitating seamless transportation. Additionally, the railway line will position Bodoland region in Assam as a trade and transit hub, benefiting local businesses and communities," he said.

The project aligns with India's Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, aiming to boost regional connectivity and economic integration.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed optimism about the project's impact on Bodoland. He noted that the rail link would help Assam leverage the economic opportunities emerging from Bhutan's "Mindful City" project in Gelephu.

"As the mindful city project will transform Gelephu into an attraction for tourists and traders, we hope to reap benefits out of it, being the immediate neighbour. As Bhutan already has a lot of regulations in place for activities, foreign players can look towards neighbouring Kokrajhar and other towns in Bodoland and even Guwahati for business activities," Sarma said.

The CM also mentioned plans to introduce Vande Bharat-like trains to reduce travel time between Kokrajhar and Guwahati from six hours to two. The Bodoland region has been undergoing rapid development following improved law and order conditions after the signing of the new Bodoland Accord, which largely ended insurgency-related problems.

"Overall, the Assam-Bhutan railway line is set to transform Bodoland's economy and connectivity, paving the way for long-term growth and development," Sarma added.

Delays in Bangladesh and Myanmar rail projects

The fast-tracking of the Indo-Bhutan rail project comes as India faces setbacks in its efforts to enhance railway connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

A rail link between Agartala in Tripura and Akhaura in Bangladesh was nearing inauguration before political turmoil in Bangladesh stalled progress. 

The ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024 disrupted India's railway initiatives in the country, halting train services between West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Similarly, ongoing conflict in Myanmar following the military takeover in 2021 has derailed India's plans to link Mizoram and Manipur with Myanmar. The proposed Moreh-Tamu rail link, envisioned as part of the Trans-Asian Railway network connecting Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and beyond, remains in limbo.

Additionally, a 223km railway project from Aizawl in Mizoram to Hbichhuah near the Myanmar border was approved in November 2023, with plans to connect Mizoram to Myanmar's Sittwe port via the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. However, instability in Myanmar has hindered its progress.

With these setbacks, India is now shifting focus to its northern neighbour, expediting Bhutan's first rail network to strengthen regional connectivity and economic cooperation.