Bhutan to have its First Railway System
Bhutan will get its first railway network with India within the next four years. The Indian Railway Minister and the Indian Foreign Minister jointly made the announcement. Later in the day, Bhutan’s Foreign Secretary, Aum Pema Choden, along with the Indian Foreign Secretary, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The railway network will connect Gelephu and Samtse in Bhutan, to Kokrajhar (Assam) and Banarhat (West Bengal) in India. According to The Indian Express, it marks the culmination of nearly twenty years of joint efforts by both nations.
How the Railway Could Transform Tourism
The first railway network in Bhutan is anticipated to bring many positive changes. Gelephu is the site of Bhutan’s first sustainable city, called the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). Besides impacting trade activities in the region, it could also influence tourism patterns. Until November 2024, Phuntsholing was the only land crossing available to visitors other than Indian nationals; Darranga–Samdrup Jongkhar has since become the second, and both carry small numbers. Once the railway line is set up, visitors, both regional and international, could be motivated to travel via Gelephu and Samtse. This means shifting itineraries.
Presently, a majority of tourists visiting Bhutan spend their time in western Bhutan. Places such as Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha are most sought after, with growing interest in eastern Bhutan. Once Bhutan’s railway is operational, the tourism industry could undergo a significant transformation. Therefore, it is crucial for tourism stakeholders to watch the developments closely and begin exploring Bhutan’s southern plains, where attractions already exist. The Royal Manas National Park, which spans the south-central district of Zhemgang as well as Sarpang and Pemagatshel, has its park office in Gelephu — though Gelephu is only one approach to it, and our own itineraries go in at Panbang, in Zhemgang. Moreover, life in the plains is vastly different from highland communities, which the tourism industry could use to its advantage.
The successful implementation of the project signifies the ever growing bi-lateral relationship between India and Bhutan.
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