Gelephu Project:
Bhutan’s King has announced plans to build a massive “international city” in an area of over 1,000 sq. km. on its border with Assam. This project is known as the Gelephu Project.
- Gelephu Smart City Project is expected to be an “economic corridor connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia via India’s northeastern States”.
- The city is expected to follow environmental standards and sustainability as a goal, and will aim to attract “quality investment” from “specially screened” international companies.
- The project is expected to include “zero emission” industries, a “mindfulness city” that plays to Bhutan’s strength in tourism and wellness, as well as infrastructure companies.
- The project is expected to be a “Special Administrative Region” that would be run under different laws to facilitate more international investment.
- The project is expected to be a “point of inflection” and “transformation” for Bhutan and South Asia.
- The Government of India agrees to construct the first India-Bhutan railway line to Gelephu.
- The railway will also connect with roadways and border trading points into Assam and West Bengal, eventually providing Bhutan access to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore.
