Bhutan to Get Its First Railway Link as Indian Railways Completes Project Report:

India's Bhutan Railway is close to reality as the Indian Railways laid out its proposal to the Indian Government. “DPR clears the report approval stage, and the project is $6.7 billion,” said a spokesperson from the Northeast Frontier Railway.

Assam and Bhutan are poised to be connected as a proposal to extend the Kokrajhar-Gelephu line of the Assam Inter City Railway System has also been forwarded. Along with submission of the proposal, a survey to cover all starting points for construction of the railway was also undertaken. Assisting the overall AVR of terrain structure, Gelephu is anticipated to have an estimate of three thousand five hundred crores.

Along with the aforementioned increase in infrastructure spending, the proposal also puts forth construction of six stations with the addition of Balajan, Garubhasa, and Shantipur which expands the total to eleven. The regions incorporated in this expansion are targeted for an increase in economic development as well as standard of life.

Apart from the Shantipur overpass bridge, the remaining structures were also taken into consideration with a total of thirty-one bridges of all sizes, sixty-five small bridges, and two viaduct structures expected to ease the flow rate and construction costs further.

“Completion of the final survey is a step closer to receiving further necessary instructions and approvals,” said the spokesperson, “Stringent trade measures and direct flights between Bhutan - India and the interconnectivity through railway will greatly build upon trade, tourism, and culture between the two countries.”The railway line will elevate Bodoland Territorial Region as a significant center for trade and commerce which will help local businesses and communities in the region.

The spokesperson further added that the proposed railway line aligns with the Prime Minister's ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.