After extending its railways into Nepal in 2022, India is now gearing up for another international expansion near the strategic Chicken's Neck, a plan which was conceived 20 years ago. The Centre on Monday announced the launch of two new railway lines to Bhutan, integrating the landlocked Himalayan nation into India's 70,000-kilometre rail network.
The two railway lines, spanning 69 km and 20 km, will connect Bhutan with the bordering states of Assam and West Bengal, respectively. The 69-km Kokrajhar (Assam)–Gelephu (Bhutan) line and the 20-km Banarhat (West Bengal)–Samtse (Bhutan) line will cost Rs 3,456 crore and Rs 577 crore, respectively.
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While the 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu line will be built in four years, the 20-km Banarhat–Samtse line will be completed in three years.
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