The Indian government has allotted  INR 12 billion for the extensive expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure in the northeastern region of the country, a crucial move made to further boost the much-awaited first-ever Bhutan-India railway link.

The ambitious 57.5-kilometer railway line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam, India, to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan, and is projected to be constructed at an estimated cost of INR 10 billion, fully funded by the Indian government, reports Bhutan Live News.

It is anticipated that the project will be completed by 2026.

Indian External Affairs Minister recently hinted at the ongoing discussions between India and Bhutan regarding this transformative railway connection.

“We are currently in negotiations for a railway link between Bhutan and Assam. Bhutan is keen to open more avenues for tourism, and this endeavor promises to benefit Assam significantly. The proposed railway link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, situated on the Assam border, could be a game-changer, promoting both trade and tourism," Jaishankar was quoted as saying by the Bhutan-based news portal.

This visionary railway connection holds immense promise for fostering economic growth, especially in terms of facilitating the export of goods, enabling cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, reports Bhutan Live News.