Overview

• Two cross-border lines—Banarhat–Samtse and Kokrajhar–Gelephu—total about 89 km and mark the first rail connectivity between the countries.
• The Centre will fully fund the projects at ₹4,033 crore, with ₹3,456 crore for Kokrajhar–Gelephu and ₹577 crore for Banarhat–Samtse.
• Officials said a formal MoU would be signed in New Delhi today, converting prior understandings into an implementation agreement.
• Kokrajhar–Gelephu is planned over four years with six stations, two viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two goods sheds, one flyover and 39 underpasses.
• Banarhat–Samtse is slated for a three‑year build, and the new links are intended to connect Bhutan to India’s 150,000 km rail network and onward ports.