Source: TOI
Context: The proposed 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu rail line, India’s first-ever railway link to Bhutan, has been declared a Special Railway Project (SRP) by the Indian Railways.
About Kokrajhar–Gelephu Special Railway Project (SRP):
- What it is?
- A cross-border railway project connecting Kokrajhar in Assam (India) with Gelephu in Bhutan.
- Aims to provide Bhutan its first railway connectivity and deepen bilateral ties.
- Organisation involved:
- Implemented by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Railways Act, 1989.
- Supported by the Government of India in alignment with the Act East Policy.
- Aim:
- Strategic importance: Enhance cross-border connectivity with Bhutan.
- Economic growth: Facilitate trade, tourism, and people-to-people contact.
- Security: Strengthen India’s frontier infrastructure in the Northeast.
- Features:
- Project cost: Approx. ₹3,500 crore.
- Stations: Six new stations – Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri, Gelephu.
- Road connectivity: 1 Road Over Bridge and 39 Road Under Bridges.
- Viaducts: Two viaducts of 11 metres each for safe passage across difficult terrain.
- Significance:
- First rail link for Bhutan: Historic step in Bhutan’s infrastructure development.
- Boost to Act East Policy: Improves Northeast India’s integration with South Asia.
- Regional trade hub: Facilitates faster goods movement between India and Bhutan.
