Progress Update on Kathmandu-Kerung and Raxaul-Kathmandu Railway Projects: China’s Finalization of Study and India’s Rail Link Proposal
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Both China and India have expressed interest in developing separate railway lines through Nepal.
According to Nepali officials, the Chinese side is preparing to submit the feasibility study report on the Kathmandu-Kerung railway to the government within the next one and a half months, while Nepal has provided four suggestions to India regarding the railway line connecting the Kathmandu Valley with India’s border.
About a month and a half ago, responding in writing to the Indian Rajya Sabha, India’s Railway Minister stated that the ‘final ground survey’ for the 136-kilometer Raxaul-Kathmandu railway had been completed and the detailed project report had been prepared.
Just a few days ago, the Chinese team involved in the Kathmandu-Kerung railway study presented their findings to Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
The presentation included aspects such as the railway’s design and estimated costs, but Nepali officials say that discussions regarding this ambitious infrastructure’s construction or potential investment models will only take place after receiving the full report.
Details of the Chinese Study
During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Nepal in 2019, officials from both countries signed an agreement to prepare a detailed project report for the Kathmandu-Kerung railway.
Chinese engineers tasked with undertaking a comprehensive ground and feasibility study given a 42-month timeline have informed Nepalese officials that they are finalizing their report. This study is being conducted with Chinese economic and technical assistance.
Ramhari Pokharel, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, stated, “The team visited and a recent discussion took place where they addressed geographical difficulties and cost concerns. Alignment options were discussed. Based on this, the government will decide how to proceed and from where to source funding.”
Harikumar Pokharel, Director General of the Department of Railways, confirmed that discussions are ongoing to finalize the report and that they have provided certain data.
“We have already supplied information regarding some mines, weather conditions, and earthquake risks. The team has committed to submitting the report by the end of this month.”
Earlier, the Chinese side had requested permission for helicopter flights to conduct aerial surveys of proposed routes.
“Since I assumed the role of Director General, we have arranged the request by detailing the type of helicopter needed, duration, and whether it would be hired in Nepal or brought from China. Currently, the team is studying different options using maps.”
According to him, with only a short time remaining to submit the report, a future aerial survey could be conducted if necessary.
The preliminary study proposes a 72-kilometer long railway corridor within Nepal for the Nepal-China international rail service.
Of this, it is noted that 68.6 kilometers will be covered by seven tunnels and 2.6 kilometers by nine bridges.
Some officials believe that approximately 95 percent of the railway route on the Nepal side will be underground according to the pre-feasibility study.
The pre-feasibility study identifies Kerung as the starting point and Tokha as the endpoint of the railway. Technical teams have used drones to study the proposed route and conducted geological and technical surveys from Kathmandu to Kerung.
Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport’s annual report for fiscal year 2080/81 previously stated that studies on the Kerung-Kathmandu electric railway with Chinese government assistance, as well as Kathmandu-Pokhara and Kathmandu-Lumbini railways, are ongoing.
What is the progress of the rail link connecting India?
Image source, IndiaInNepal/TWITTER
Officials have confirmed that the final location survey for the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway line, supported by the Indian government, has been completed and Nepal has presented recommendations.
According to Harikumar Pokharel, Director General of the Department of Railways, the suggestions mainly focus on four points.
“We emphasized that the proposed route should facilitate easy access to Nijgadh Airport and consider its impact. Another point was the close proximity to the Kulekhani dam, to evaluate any effects. Additionally, we addressed the concerns related to mines; we provided maps from the Mines Department suggesting that the railway should avoid those areas and instead be routed elsewhere.”
Pokharel also recalled ongoing construction of the Kathmandu-Nijgadh expressway and highlighted the need to ensure through technical reports that the railway does not negatively affect its traffic.
Railway officials stated they have no confirmed information on whether the detailed project report has been finalized.
However, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha a month and a half ago, India’s Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed completion of the final location survey for the 136-kilometer Raxaul-Kathmandu rail line and preparation of the detailed project report.
According to him, after the DPR is prepared, the project requires consultations with stakeholders, and approvals from Nepal’s National Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance.
Previously, the then Director General of the Department of Railways had commissioned the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited to prepare the DPR, which took 18 months to complete the survey.
The railway construction is estimated to cost NPR 384 billion, with 12 stations proposed between Kathmandu and Raxaul.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has committed in their election manifesto to develop a comprehensive 50-year master plan based on detailed studies to bring long-term transformation to Nepal’s transport system.
The party pledges to link major cities like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Dang, Surkhet, and towns in the Terai region with the railway networks of India and China.
However, no concrete blueprint or identified funding sources exist so far to realize this vision.
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