New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) In a significant move to bolster people-to-people connections, India and Bhutan entered into an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to establish railway links between the two nations.

This agreement, finalized during the visit of Bhutan's Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden to New Delhi, outlines the creation of the initial cross-border rail links, connecting Kokrajhar to Gelephu and Banarhat to Serhoamtse, as disclosed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late Monday evening.

According to a statement from the MEA, "These initiatives are part of our larger strategy to improve connectivity between the nations and will enhance both economic and interpersonal interactions." The talks between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Aum Pema Choden covered the extensive spectrum of bilateral relations and acknowledged the advancements made in essential cooperation areas.

They particularly celebrated the successful operation of all six units of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, marking a crucial milestone in the fulfillment of the India-Bhutan Joint Vision on Energy Partnership. The officials also expressed satisfaction regarding the ongoing development projects and initiatives under Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan, which are progressing well with support from the Government of India, yielding significant benefits for the Bhutanese people.

Earlier, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed new projects aimed at further enhancing connectivity and trade between India and Bhutan, emphasizing the mutual commitment to strengthen regional connectivity, sustainability, and economic collaboration. The announcement highlighted crucial cross-border railway initiatives set to transform the relationship between the two countries.

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, noted that two primary links have been identified: the 69-km Kokrajhar–Gelephu line, which connects Assam with Gelephu, and the 20-km Banarhat–Samtse line, linking West Bengal with Bhutan.

He mentioned that these initiatives, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,033 crore, are expected to significantly enhance trade, tourism, and interpersonal exchanges.

Samtse and Gelephu are vital export-import hubs in Bhutan, serving the 700-km long India-Bhutan border.

Gelephu is being developed as a mindfulness city, while Samtse is evolving into an industrial town, as per the Bhutan government's plans.

To speed up implementation, the Kokrajhar–Gelephu line has been designated as a special railway project, facilitating expedited clearances and land acquisition.

Financially, the Ministry of Railways will finance the works on the Indian side, whereas the Indian government, through the Ministry of External Affairs, will support the Bhutanese section as part of Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan. This approach ensures that the majority of infrastructure development occurs on the Indian side while fully catering to Bhutan's development needs.

As India's principal trading partner, these railway projects are poised to further solidify economic ties and promote balanced regional development.