Preliminary Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey of Raxaul (India)-Kathmandu (Nepal) Rail Line

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli today witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal regarding preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey of the broad gauge line between Raxaul (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal). On April 7, 2018, the two Governments had issued a joint statement on expanding rail linkages, agreeing to construct a new electrified rail line, with India’s financial support, connecting the border city of Raxaul in India to Kathmandu in Nepal. As a first step, it was agreed that the Government of India, in consultation with the Government of Nepal, would carry out preparatory survey work within one year, and the two sides would finalize the implementation and funding modalities of the project based on the Detailed Project Report. Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. has been entrusted to conduct a preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey of the new rail line in consultation with the Government of Nepal. The Raxaul-Kathmandu rail line is expected to expand connectivity by enhancing people-to-people linkages between the two countries and promoting economic growth and development.