The Indian government is investing a whopping ?120 billion to make the railway system in the northeastern part of the country much better. This big step is making it possible for the long-awaited train connection between India and Bhutan to finally happen. It's a significant development that will improve transportation and connections between the two countries, as reported by Bhutan Live.
A big project is happening to build a 57.5-kilometer-long train track that will connect Kokrajhar in Assam, India to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan. This project is going to be completed by the year 2026, and it's going to change the way people travel and do business in the region.
Just a month ago, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, talked about how India and Bhutan are talking about this project. He said that it's going to be great for both countries because Bhutan wants more tourists to come, and this train will make it easier for people to visit. It's also going to help the state of Assam a lot.
This railway project is a big deal because it can make it much easier to send things back and forth between India and Bhutan. It's not just about trade; it's also about sharing culture and making their relationship stronger. The train will help them connect more, and that's a good thing for both countries. It's like a bridge that brings them closer together.
According to the report, this amazing railway project started taking shape when the Prime Minister of Bhutan visited India in 2018. They had a big vision to connect their countries with a train track. Now, as they begin building the Gelephu-Kokrajhar railway, it's not just a one-time thing. It's like a spark that can start more train projects in the southern and eastern parts of both countries. This means more places like Phuentsholing, Samtse, Nganglam, and Samdrup Jongkhar can join in, making it easier for people to travel and trade in the region. It's all about connecting and working together.
It is important to mention that Bhutan and India agreed on this big idea back in 2005. They signed a special agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding, which means they promised to work together to make a railway that connects their towns along the border. Now, as they keep working on this project, it's getting closer to happening. This special train track between Bhutan and India is like a new chapter in their friendship, making it easier for them to connect and help each other. It's all about teamwork and making things better.
