Raxaul to be connected with Kathmandu by new electrified rail line

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : With the objective of expanding connectivity to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli on April 7, 2018, agreed to construct a new electrified rail line, with India’s financial support, connecting the border city of Raxaul ( East Champaran district, Bihar) in India to Kathmandu in Nepal.

As a first step, it was agreed that Government of India would, in consultation with the Government of Nepal, carry out preparatory survey work within one year, and the two sides would finalise the implementation and funding modalities of the project based on the Detailed Project Report. The Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli assured that the Government of Nepal will extend full cooperation for early completion of the requisite surveys for the new rail line, according to a PIB release.
The two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress made in the implementation of Phase-I of the India-Nepal cross-border rail link projects. The two leaders noted that the stretch of railway lines from Jayanagar to Janakpur/Kurtha and from Jogbani to Biratnagar Custom Yard will be completed in 2018, and that work on the remaining stretch of the ongoing rail link projects: (a) Jayanagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and (b) Jogbani-Biratnagar, will be taken forward on priority.

India expressed appreciation for Nepal’s commitment to expeditiously resolve all outstanding issues, including land availability, for the ongoing rail link projects.

The two Prime Ministers noted with appreciation that the India-Nepal Joint Working Group has been meeting regularly to discuss issues relating to operation of train services on the ongoing cross-border rail link projects. It was agreed that the JWG would identify requirements for operating train services on these cross-border rail links, and finalise the bilateral modalities expeditiously.
The two leaders emphasised the importance of implementing the remaining three links under Phase-II of the India-Nepal cross-border rail link projects: (i) New Jalpaiguri-Kakarbhitta (b) Nautanwa-Bhairahawa, and (c) Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj.