Cross-border railway lines in India

Indian Railways jointly operates passenger and freight services with its neighboring countries to connect the railway network in India. Railway line construction, maintenance, border check point management is also carried out with partner railway agencies and other government agencies. Some of the railway lines & services are operational while some are non-operational or in proposal or planning stages.

India-Afghanistan

While India officially considers Afghanistan a "contiguous neighbor" due to its claim over Gilgit-Baltistan (bordering the 106 km Wakhan Corridor), this territory is currently under disputed Pakistani administration, presently making a direct physical link impossible for India to build or operate. There is no active or proposed railway line connecting India directly to Afghanistan through the Wakhan Corridor. Instead, India’s rail connectivity strategy for Afghanistan focuses on the following multilateral transit routes that bypass Pakistan, primarily through Iran and Central Asia.

Chabahar–Zahedan–Zaranj line: This serves as India's primary strategic alternative to the land route through Pakistan. India initially partnered with Iran to construct a 628 km rail line from Chabahar Port to Zahedan near the Afghan border. Following geopolitical and funding delays, Iran proceeded with independent construction; as of early 2025, the project was reported to be approximately 84% complete.

Trans-Afghan Railway: A proposed corridor connecting Termez (Uzbekistan) to Peshawar (Pakistan) via Kabul. While India is not a primary lead, Uzbekistan has invited Indian participation to facilitate trade access to Central Asian markets.

Khaf–Herat line: This operational 225 km line connects the Iranian rail network to Herat in western Afghanistan. In February 2025, India successfully completed its first rail transit of commercial cargo to Afghanistan using this corridor via the Iranian network.

India–Bangladesh

Following table lists current, historical and future routes, passenger train services and freight services: Crossing Point (India)Crossing Point (Bangladesh)StatusCurrent train servicesHistorical train servicesRefGede, West BengalDarshanaActiveMaitree Express and freight trainsEast Bengal Express, East Bengal MailPetrapole, West BengalBenapoleActiveBandhan Express and freight trainsBarisal ExpressSinghabad, West BengalRohanpurActiveFreight trains onlyRadhikapur, West BengalBiralActiveFreight trains onlyHaldibari, West BengalChilahatiActiveMitali ExpressChangrabandha, West BengalBurimariInactiveKarimganj, AssamKulauraPlannedMahisasan, AssamShahabaz PurBeing restoredAgartala, TripuraAkhauraActiveBelonia, TripuraFeniUnder construction

India–Bhutan

Two rail routes have been planned: +Proposed RouteDetailsRangiya-Darrang-Samdrup JongkharThe total route length of 48 km is estimated to cost INR 9,010 million. The survey was completed in 2007-08 and the cost was updated in 2013–14Kokrajhar-GelephuThe total route length of 58 km is estimated to cost INR 5,540 million. The survey was completed in 2007-08 and the cost was updated in 2013–14

India-China

Kunming-Kolkata line (BCIM Economic Corridor) The most frequently discussed proposal is a high-speed link between Kunming (China) and Kolkata (India) as part of the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) which is a proposed road, rail, water and air link connecting India and China through Myanmar.China seeks high-speed rail link between Kunming and Kolkata to revive ancient silk route, economictimes.indiatimes.com, 17 Jun2 2015. There is no proposal for a direct cross-border railway line between India and China due to long-standing border disputes and seurity concerns. Instead, both nations are rapidly constructing extensive "strategic" rail networks on their respective sides of the Line of Actual Control.Strategic Rail Link Projects in Border Areas: Annual Progress Report 2024-25, Ministry of Railways, |access-date=2025-05-15}

India–Myanmar

Jiribam-Moreh-Tamu line Moreh, Manipur, India – Tamu, Myanmar route is often considered as part of Trans-Asian rail connectivity. Currently India is building the Jiribam–Imphal–Moreh railway line.

Aizawl-Zorinpui line to connect Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project This line is under planning.Mizoram rail expansion to link with Kaladan project, boosting Northeast connectivity: Guv, morungexpress.com, 17 March 2026.

India–Nepal

Jaynagar–Bardibas railway line is a semi-operational line between India and Nepal. DEMU passenger service is operation on this route.

Following table lists current and future routes: Starting Point (India)Ending Point (Nepal)StatusDetailsRefJaynagarBardibasActiveCurrently active till Kurtha, Janakpur, planned extension till Bardibas in NepalRaxaulKathmanduUnder SurveyCrossing point Birgunj in NepalNew Jalpaiguri, West BengalKakarbhittaPlannedJogbaniBiratnagarUnder ConstructionNautanwaBhairhawaPlannedNepalgunj road, RupaidihaNepalgunjPlanned

India–Pakistan

Currently two rail routes exits between India and Pakistan. However the passenger train services are cancelled until further orders. Details below: Crossing Point (India)Crossing Point (Pakistan)StatusCurrent train servicesAtari Shyam Singh railway stationWagah railway stationInactiveSamjhauta ExpressMunabao railway stationZero Point railway stationInactiveThar Express

India–Sri Lanka

Indo-Ceylon Boat Mail Express was an express train service which used to run between India and Sri Lanka until 1984. However, the train currently runs till Rameswaram in India.

Cross-border railway lines in India

Bron en licentie