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NEW DELHI: In a significant step to fast-track land acquisition and construction of the first-ever rail link between India and Bhutan — a project of major strategic importance — the railways has designated the proposed 69-km Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail line as a Special Railway Project (SRP).The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) issued the notification this week under the Railways Act, 1989. Officials said the national transporter has put the project priority list as a part of the government’s Act East policy.In March 2024, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan, both countries agreed to establish two rail links between India and Bhutan: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse. The 16-km Banarhat-Samtse stretch will connect West Bengal with Bhutan.These lines will give Bhutan its first-ever railway connectivity.Senior railway officials said that SRPs are important as they have strategic importance, strengthen national security and boost socio-economic growth through improved connectivity. “This is a strategic project as it will improve cross-border connectivity and strengthen bilateral ties. In this year’s budget, funds were allocated for preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey and final location survey for the new line,” said an official. This classification helps in prioritising resource allocation for projects and funds for their timely completion.The NFR has completed the final location survey and the detailed project report which would cost around Rs 3,500 crore. The project includes construction of six new stations — Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri and Gelephu. The corridor will have two important bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one Road Over Bridge and 39 Road Under Bridges. Two viaducts, each 11 metres long, will be constructed for safe and efficient train travel across various terrains.
