NPN

The governments of India and Bhutan have reached a significant agreement to launch cross-border railway projects. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced this on Monday. According to reports, this will be the first such cross-border rail project between India and Bhutan. Let's explore which parts of the two countries this rail project will connect and what its benefits will be. These cities in India and Bhutan will be connected by rail. According to reports, the railway connectivity deal between India and Bhutan will connect Banarhat in West Bengal with Samtse in Bhutan. A second line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam with Gelephu in Bhutan. Announcing this rail project, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "This will be the first set of rail connectivity projects with Bhutan. The MoU for this link was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhutan last year." What did the Railway Minister say? Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav also issued a statement on the approval of the project for rail connectivity between India and Bhutan. He said, "This project connects two important cities in Bhutan. One is Gelephu, which is being developed as a city of mindfulness, and the other is Samtse, an industrial city. Both projects will originate from the Kokrajhar and Banarhat network of Indian Railways." How much will the project cost? Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav stated that "The estimated investment for the India-Bhutan rail project is approximately ₹4,033 crore. The total length of this rail project is approximately 90 kilometers. An 89-kilometer railway network will be built." What is the purpose of this project? Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, "India is Bhutan's largest trading partner and most of Bhutan's free trade takes place through Indian ports. A good and uninterrupted rail connectivity is essential for the development of the Bhutanese economy and for the people to have better access to the global network. That is why this entire project has been initiated."