New Delhi/Guwahati, 29 September (IANS) Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Monday announced new railway projects connecting India and Bhutan to further strengthen connectivity and trade.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi on new railway connectivity projects between India and Bhutan, the Union Minister emphasized the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen regional connectivity, stability and economic cooperation.
The announcement expanded the major cross-border railway initiative set to change bilateral relations.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who was also present during the media briefing of the Union Railway Minister, also underlined the vision, implementation strategy and importance of the upcoming projects.
Northst Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that two major links have been identified under the scheme-69-cucumber Kokrajhar-Gelefu Line, Assam connecting Assam to Gelefu, Bhutan, and 20 km Banarhat-Sax Line, Linking West, Linking West, Linking West Banker
He said that simultaneously, these projects estimate an estimate of Rs 4,033 crore, will give a significant boost to business, tourism and people’s exchange with people.
Samtse and Gelephu are the major export import hubs in Bhutan and serve the 700-km long India-Bhutan border.
Gallefu is being developed as a mindfulness city and Samtse is being developed as an industrial city by the Bhutan government.
CPRO stated that to accelerate the implementation, the Kokrajhar-Gallefu line has been declared a special railway project, which enables rapidly tracked clearance and land acquisition.
He said that on the financial side, the Ministry of Railways would invest to work on the Indian side, while the Government of India would support the Bhutani part as part of the 13th Five Year Plan of Bhutan through the Ministry of External Affairs.
This model ensures that the maximum share of infrastructure is on the Indian side, increasing full support for Bhutan’s development requirements.
India is the top trading partner of Bhutan and these railway projects will support the balanced regional development and pursue economic relations.
CPRO Sharma said that Bhutan will be able to take advantage of widespread Indian railway network for spontaneous connectivity with Indian ports to provide efficient export and import of goods to increase business connectivity and economic growth.
Environmental ideas are being integrated at the plan phase to ensure minimum ecological disruption in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Additionally, coaches for new railway lines will be manufactured in India, outlining the commitment of ‘Make in India’ and strengthening India’s role as the closest partner of Bhutan in the development of infrastructure.
These proposed new railway projects are beyond physical connectivity reflecting permanent friendship between India and Bhutan, which alliances with India’s ‘Neberhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
Once operations are operational, the lines will increase access, promote balanced regional development, create employment opportunities and stand as a new chapter in India -Hatan Cooperation, NFR CPRO said.
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