The Hindu, Bloomberg, September 29 report, India and Bhutan plan to build two new cross-border railways, running through Bhutan to connect India's West Bengal and Assam. India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri said that the project was finalized during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Bhutan in 2024, which will help the Bhutanese people better connect to the world market. It is reported that the two countries signed an agreement on September 29, when Bhutan's foreign secretary visited India. One connects India's Assam Kokrajhar (Kokrajhar) with Bhutan's Gelephu, and is planned to be completed within four years. The other connects India's West Bengal Banarhat (Banarhat) and Bhutan's Samtse, and is planned to be completed within three years. The proposed railway lines are 89 km long, with an investment of 40.33 billion rupees, which will enable Bhutan to access India's 150,000 km railway network. Currently, the two countries have established road connections through "integrated check posts, trade corridors, and new border crossings." India's railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that most of Bhutan's trade goes through Indian ports, and railway connectivity is crucial for Bhutan's economic development. Once built, this railway will also become another channel for India to connect its mainland with the northeast region.
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