Two railway links to offer easy connectivity to Bhutan, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• India and Bhutan announced two new rail links: Kokrajhar-Gelephu (Assam) and Banarhat-Samtse (West Bengal).
• The total distance of the rail links is 89 km, with a combined cost of ₹4,033 crore.
• The MoU was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024.
• The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line will be developed in four years, while the Banarhat-Samtse line will be completed in three years.
• The rail lines will be designed to accommodate Vande Bharat trains.
• India has pledged ₹10,000 crore in development assistance to Bhutan for its 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029).

Detailed Insights:

• The rail connectivity aims to boost the Bhutanese economy by providing seamless access to Indian ports and the global network.
• The Kokrajhar-Gelephu line will feature six stations, two viaducts, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, two good sheds, one flyover, and 39 underpasses.
• The Banarhat-Samtse line will include two stations, one major flyover, 24 minor flyovers, and 37 underpasses, developed at a cost of ₹577 crore.
• The Jogighopha Inland Waterways Transport Terminal, inaugurated in February, will further benefit Bhutan.
• India and Bhutan have collaborated on five major hydropower projects: Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu, Kurichhu, and Punatsangchhu II.
• The increased development assistance for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan doubles the support from the previous plan.

Key Concepts Involved:

• EXIM Trade: Refers to the export and import of goods and services between countries.
• Inland Waterways: Navigable rivers and canals used for transportation.
• Five-Year Plan: A government plan outlining a country's economic and social development goals and strategies over a five-year period.