PM Narendra Modi to Visit Kokrajhar on March 13, 2026: Foundation Stone for Kokrajhar-Gelephu Bhutan Rail Link and Mega Public Rally at BTC Green Field
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on a significant two-day visit to Assam starting March 13, 2026, with Kokrajhar – the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) – as the focal point of his itinerary. This high-profile visit underscores the Indian government’s unwavering commitment to accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and fostering economic growth in India’s Northeast region.
The centerpiece of the Kokrajhar event will be the laying of the foundation stone for the much-anticipated Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project, a landmark initiative that will establish the first-ever railway connectivity between India and Bhutan. This project is poised to transform trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two neighboring nations while opening new economic corridors for Assam and the broader Northeastern states.
Historic Kokrajhar-Gelephu Rail Link: A Game-Changer for Northeast and Bhutan
The Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail connectivity project represents a strategic milestone in India-Bhutan relations. Spanning approximately 69 km (with some reports citing 57-70 km variations in alignment details), this broad-gauge (1,676 mm) railway line will connect Kokrajhar railway station in Assam directly to Gelephu in Bhutan’s Sarpang district.
Designated as a Special Railway Project (SRP) by Indian Railways, the initiative fast-tracks land acquisition, environmental clearances, and construction processes. The project, fully funded by the Government of India, is estimated to cost around ₹3,500-4,033 crore. It includes the construction of six new stations – Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri (in Assam), and Gelephu (in Bhutan) – along with numerous bridges, viaducts, and other infrastructure elements such as 18-29 major bridges, multiple minor bridges, road overbridges, and underbridges.
This rail link aligns with the broader Act East Policy and recent bilateral agreements between India and Bhutan. During PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024 and subsequent high-level discussions, both countries agreed to develop rail connectivity, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse lines. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu corridor is particularly vital as it supports Bhutan’s ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City project, an economic hub aimed at sustainable development.
Experts view this connectivity as a catalyst for enhanced bilateral trade, easier movement of goods and people, boosted tourism to Bhutan’s pristine landscapes, and increased economic opportunities for border communities in Assam’s Bodoland region. By integrating Bhutan into India’s extensive railway network for the first time, the project strengthens regional integration and positions the Northeast as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
Mega Public Rally at BTC Green Field: Massive Turnout Expected
On March 13, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at the Bodofa Nagar Green Field (also referred to as BTC Green Field) in Kokrajhar town via helicopter. He will address a massive public rally at this expansive venue, with organizers anticipating an attendance of at least 1.5 to 2 lakh people from across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and neighboring districts.
The rally will serve as the platform for the Prime Minister to formally lay the foundation stone for the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link and inaugurate or lay foundation stones for several other central and state government development projects. These initiatives span infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and connectivity, reflecting the Modi government’s focus on inclusive growth in the Northeast.
Preparations for the event are in full swing, with stringent measures for security, traffic management, logistics, stage setup, and crowd control. Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary, Executive Member Derhasat Basumatary, BTC IGP Vivekraj Singh, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Chakraborty, and other senior officials recently conducted an on-site inspection of the Green Field and helipad.
A detailed review meeting followed at the BTC Secretariat conference hall, where all aspects of the visit were meticulously discussed to ensure seamless execution. Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, speaking to the media after the inspection, emphasized the historic nature of the visit and the expected large-scale public participation, highlighting how it will boost morale and development aspirations in the region.
Evening Programme in Guwahati and Silchar Rally on March 14
Following the Kokrajhar events, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Guwahati for an evening programme on March 13, 2026. Details of this event are awaited, but it is expected to include interactions with stakeholders or additional project launches aligned with Assam’s development agenda.
On March 14, the Prime Minister will address another major public rally in Silchar, Barak Valley’s key city, further extending the outreach of his visit across Assam.
Preparations and Significance: A Boost for Bodoland and Northeast
The visit comes at a crucial time for Assam and the Bodoland Territorial Region, reinforcing central support for regional autonomy, peace, and progress following the Bodo Accord. Leaders like Hagrama Mohilary have expressed enthusiasm, noting that PM Modi’s presence will provide fresh impetus to Bodoland’s development trajectory.
This tour exemplifies the Modi government’s priority on Northeast transformation through infrastructure. Enhanced rail connectivity with Bhutan not only promises economic dividends but also deepens diplomatic ties in a geopolitically sensitive region.
As Kokrajhar gears up for this grand occasion, the entire Northeast watches with anticipation. The Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link foundation stone laying by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 13, 2026, is set to etch a new chapter in India-Bhutan friendship and regional prosperity.
