Rail transport in Bhutan

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Proposed Bhutan Rail Connections.png

There is no rail transport in Bhutan, but several rail lines have been planned.

Contents

Planned

Bhutan and India signed a memorandum of understanding in January 2005 to connect Bhutan with the Indian Railways network with 5 new routes in Bhutan. [1] [2] Additionally, the Indian Military has also identified more routes to complement the India-China Border Roads (ICBR) and negate the Siliguri Corridor's geostrategic vulnerability, all of which will be 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge.

Note: Rail lines listed west to east.

RouteLength (km)Future ExtensionsOperational (date)Major tunnels # & namesMajor bridges # & namesConceived byStatus/Comments


Gangtok-Nathang-Haa-Paro-Thimphu line Ext-1: Yongphulla Airport-Bathpalathang Airport-Lingmethang(Mongar)-Thimphu-Paro International Airport line.
Also see Ext-3 for Paro-Doklam-Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong connection.		N (2027?) Indian Military Gangtok-Nathang-Haa-Paro International Airport-Thimphu. [3]


Banarhat–Samtse line 18 kmExt-2: Samtse-Nathu La lineN (2025?)2005 Indo-Bhutan MoU Banarhat–Samtse. [4] [2]


Hasimara–Pasakha-Phuentsholing line 18 kmExt-3: Phuentsholing-Paro International Airport-Doklam-Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong line.N (2025?)2005 Indo-Bhutan MoU Hasimara Airforce Station–Pasakha-Phuentsholing. This line has the first priority to be constructed due to high passenger and goods transportation. [5] [2]
Kokrajhar–Gelephu line (Gelephu Airport)70 kmN (2025?)2005 Indo-Bhutan MoU Kokrajhar of New Jalpaiguri–New Bongaigaon section –Gelephu. [2] survey completed in April 2023 and construction will be completed by 2026 (aug 2023 update). [6]
Pathsala–Naglam line 40 kmExt-4: Naglam-Lingmethang(Mongar)-Lhuntse-Rinchen Bumpa line with spur to Trashiyangtse in northeast.
Also see Ext-1 for connection in east to Yongphulla Airport (& Lumla-Tawang).		N (2025?)2005 Indo-Bhutan MoU Pathsala–Naglam. [2]


Rangla–Darranga–Samdrup Jongkhar line 60 kmN (2025?)2005 Indo-Bhutan MoU Rangla–Darranga–Samdrup Jongkhar. [2]


Tawang-Trashigang-Yongphulla line See Ext-1 (Thimphu-Tawang).N (2027?) Indian Military Tawang-Lumla-Trashigang-Yongphulla Airport. [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ International Railway Journal March 2005.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rail connectivity to Bhutan? Indian Railways submits studies for 5 links". The Financial Express. 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 [], , .
  4. ↑ Pointers Archived 1 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine . Railway Gazette International March 2005.
  5. ↑ "View: Enhancing Siliguri corridor for ease of trade and transit in South Asia". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  6. ↑ Archived 7 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine रेल में बैठकर जा सकेंगे विदेश, 2026 तक इस खूबसूरत देश तक बिछ जाएगी पटरी, Live Hindustan, 5 aug 2023.
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