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In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan, and the two nations agreed on the rail links between them with two new lines – Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse
With SRP status in place, land acquisition will be taken up on priority, clearing the way for construction once final approvals and funding allocations are in place. Representational image
The Northeast Frontier Railway has notified the Kokrajhar-Gelephu New Rail Line — Bhutan’s first railway link — as a Special Railway Project (SRP), paving the way for faster land acquisition and execution.
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The notification, published this week, states that the 69-km project traversing Assam and extending into Bhutan has been accorded SRP status under the Railways Act, 1989.
Speaking to News18, a Railway Ministry official explained that the project was strategically significant, advancing India’s Act East Policy and strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity with Bhutan.
“The SRP will allow land to be acquired under streamlined provisions of the Railways Act, cutting acquisition time nearly in half compared with the 2013 Land Acquisition Act — putting the project on a fast track,” the official explained, requesting anonymity.
In February 2020, the Indian Railways wrote to all General Managers saying that, as per the procedure laid down in the Railway Act, 1989, land acquisition takes only 27 months, compared to 47-50 months as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The Ministry had directed the zones that land invariably be acquired through the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989, by declaring them “Special Railway Projects” for all railway infrastructure projects that have to be completed in a specified time frame.
In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan, and the two nations agreed on the rail links between India and Bhutan with two new lines – Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse. The 16-km Banarhat-Samtse stretch is between West Bengal and Bhutan. These lines will give Bhutan its first-ever railway connectivity.
The NFR completed the final locational survey for the Kokrajhar-Gelephu line earlier this year, and the estimated cost of the new line is about Rs 3,500 crore. The new line will have close to 100 bridges.
As per the plan, the almost 70 km route will have six new stations. Five of these will be in Assam – Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, and Dadgiri, while one will be in Bhutan (Gelephu).
Kokrajhar is an operational railway station on the New Jalpaiguri-New Bongaigaon section of the Barauni-Guwahati line.
With SRP status in place, land acquisition will be taken up on priority, clearing the way for construction once final approvals and funding allocations are in place.
About the Author
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
September 26, 2025, 04:17 IST
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