Transborder Railways in Northeast India: Prospects and Challenges

 Keywords: Northeast India, Transborder Railways, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan

Date: 30th Sept, 2024

Northeast India (NER), which borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and China, has seen significant progress in transborder railway connections during the last decade. This region has been in the forefront of India's efforts to integrate with its neighbours as part of the Act East Policy and Neighbourhood First Policy. A major example of this initiative is the Indo-Bangla international railway connectivity project that was opened in November 2023.

The project, which began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2013, intends to shorten the distance between Agartala and Kolkata from 1600 kilometres to 500 kilometres. This is anticipated to establish Tripura into a tourism and commerce hub for India and Bangladesh. The Agartala-Akhaura railway line, which spans 12.24 km, including 5.46 km on the Indian side and 6.78 km in Bangladesh, is a critical connection in accomplishing this objective.

When fully operational, it will improve not just passenger travel but also freight transportation, contributing to regional economic growth. Several more initiatives are being developed to improve cross-border connection. One such project is the impending full-fledged rail service between Agartala and Chittagong, which is expected to boost trade between India's Northeast and Bangladesh's crucial ports.

Similarly, the first-ever Bhutan-India railway link is expected to be inaugurated in 2026. This project, fully funded by the Indian government, will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan via a 57.5 kilometre railway link. The railway project will further boost bilateral connections between the two nations.

Furthermore, significant effort has been made in upgrading narrow-gauge rails to wide gauge. Key lines have already been renovated, including those from Lumding to Silchar in Assam, Rangia to Murkongselek, and Agartala to Kumarghat, allowing for smoother and more efficient train services. Efforts to extend the train network to other northeastern state capitals are underway, with Sikkim on track to join the network via the Sivok-Rongpo railway line.

These initiatives are planned to turn the NER into a regional hub for cross-border trade, tourism, and cultural interaction. Given its strategic position, the region is critical to India's wider regional integration aspirations, notably the Act East Policy, which aims to improve connections with Southeast Asia.

India's National Rail Plan (NRP), which targets a "Future Ready" railway infrastructure by 2030, prioritizes improving connectivity in regions such as the Northeast. The plan aims to guarantee that the railway network is ready to meet future needs for both passenger and freight traffic, with the goal of raising railroads' modal share of freight transportation to 45 percent.

The NRP also seeks to ensure that all state capitals in the region are linked by broad-gauge rail lines. This is projected to significantly boost intra-regional connection and shorten travel time. Improved connection to state capitals such as Shillong, Aizawl, and Kohima would boost economic activity, eliminate isolation, and encourage tourism. Furthermore, the NRP focuses a strong emphasis on increasing international railway connections.

Connecting the region to neighbouring nations such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan are viewed as critical for increasing regional commerce and people-to-people relations. For example, the Agartala-Akhaura line is part of a broader network of international railway linkages that are being planned to connect India's Northeast with South and Southeast Asia.

In addition to physical connection, the strategy focuses on upgrading, such as electrifying railway lines and doubling tracks in densely populated regions. These measures are intended to increase operating efficiency by boosting train speeds and eliminating delays.

Vision 2024, a crucial component of the NRP, aims to accelerate numerous essential projects in the Northeast, including the complete electrification of the railway network. This will also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and slash operating costs. This emphasis on modernization is critical for integrating the area into India's overall economic framework and guaranteeing cross-border trade with ASEAN and East Asian countries.

Despite continuous efforts and ambitious goals, a number of major problems prevent the complete realization of transborder railway connection in the Northeast. The region's unique geographical and geological features present substantial challenges. The NER is known for its steep terrain, frequent landslides, and strong monsoon rains, which make railway infrastructure development and maintenance problematic.

Projects are frequently delayed owing to these natural conditions, making the building of new lines both time-consuming and expensive. For example, geographical challenges have hindered the building of the Sivok-Rongpo line in Sikkim, delaying the state's inclusion into the national railway network.

Land acquisition concerns are another key impediment. Obtaining the necessary land for new railway projects has frequently encountered local opposition and legal challenges over property ownership, resulting in considerable delays. These challenges are especially serious in areas where tribal land rights are concerned. Delays in land acquisition not only slow down project timeframes but also raise costs since projects must be reviewed and modified to reflect changing land availability.

Security and law-and-order issues pose further problems. The Northeastern region has long been plagued by insurgency and political instability. While security has improved in recent years, periodic violence and instability continue to jeopardize infrastructure development. Railway lines that run through sensitive areas near international borders, notably those with Bangladesh and Myanmar, need regular security surveillance, which adds to the logistical challenges of construction and operation.

Cross-border collaboration also brings challenges. The effective completion of transnational railway projects necessitates complicated bilateral agreements. Customs, immigration processes, and security regulations must all be addressed to guarantee that international train services run smoothly. The Agartala-Akhaura route, for example, necessitated meticulous diplomatic discussions to establish acceptable customs processes and security clearances. With the ongoing political developments in Bangladesh, the future of such bilateral initiative remains uncertain.

Overcoming these issues would need a collaborative strategy that includes both central and state governments, corporate sector participation, and more stakeholder engagement. Resolving land acquisition difficulties, strengthening coordination among government institutions, and guaranteeing greater diplomatic engagement with neighbouring nations are critical tasks. Encouraging increased private sector engagement in railway projects, particularly in finance and construction, may also assist to reduce delays and cost overruns.

Sagnik Sarkar is a Research and Program Associate at Asian Confluence

Disclaimer: The views expressed above and the information available are those of the author/s and can therefore in no way be taken to reflect the position of Asian Confluence