DPR For Bhutan-Assam Railway Link Completed: NFR

Indian Railways has finished its detailed project report for a 69.04 km railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan. The project, estimated at INR 3,500 crore, includes six new stations and numerous bridges, boosting India- Bhutan relations and improving connectivity as part of the 'Act East Policy' and 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.

Land-locked Himalayan nation Bhutan is set to get its first railway link with Indian railways, completing a detailed project report for laying tracks to Gelepur from Assam's Korajhar, a Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said on Saturday. The final location survey for the proposed railway line has already been completed, and the approval of the DPR is now awaited, he said.

The spokesperson said that the proposed 69.04 km railway line will connect Korajhar station in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan and is estimated to cost INR 3500 crore. The project includes the development of six new stations- Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dagiri and Gelephu. The infrastructure plan features two critical bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one road over bridge, 39 road under bridges and two viaducts of 11 meters in length.

"The final location survey has been completed, and the DPR has been submitted for further approval and necessary directives," the spokesperson said. "The proposed railway line will strengthen India- Bhutan relations by enhancing trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations. It will also improve connectivity, providing Bhutan with its first-ever railway link facilitating transportation," he said. The railway line will position the Bodoland Territorial Region as a trade and transit hub benefiting local businesses and communities. The spokesperson further said that the proposed railway line is in keeping with the prime Minister's vision of the 'Act East Policy' and 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.

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