India-Bhutan First Rail Connectivity

India and Bhutan have announced a landmark initiative to establish the first-ever cross-border rail connectivity between the two countries. India will invest Rs 4,033 crore to construct two new rail links: Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam, India to Sarpang, Bhutan) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal, India to Samtse, Bhutan), totaling 89 km. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line, costing Rs 3,456 crore, will be developed in four years, connecting to Gelephu, which is being developed as a 'mindfulness city'. The Banarhat-Samtse line, costing Rs 577 crore, will be built in three years, linking to Samtse, an industrial hub. The entire investment will be borne by the Indian government. This initiative, stemming from an MoU signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhutan in March 2024, will provide Bhutan access to India's 150,000 km railway network, significantly boosting its economy, trade, and global market access. India has also committed Rs 10,000 crore in developmental assistance for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029), doubling the previous plan's support.