August 27: It has been eight years since the government completed feasibility study of metro rail at five different places of the capital, Kathmandu. However, investment for the project is yet to be finalized.

People’s representatives of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as well as the government have been making announcements publicly about setting up the metro  rail in five different routes in the capital but the preparation for seeking investment for the project has been limited only to discussions.

In 2012, the feasibility study had outlined the possibility of operating metro rail across different areas covering a total distance of 87.18 kilometers. Those routes include Chobhar-Satdobato-Ratna Park-Narayan Gopal Chowk-Buddhanilkantha (22 kilometers), Kirtipur-Kalimati-New Baneshwar-Airport (11.15 kilometers), Koteshwar-Chabahil-Swayambhu (28.53 kilometers), Swayambhu-Dillibazar-Bouddha (11.70 kilometers), and Dhobighat-Singha Durbar-Gongabu (13.80 kilometers).

The Department of Railways has so far selected a consultant company for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Narayan Gopal Chowk-Satdobato section of Chobhar-Satdobato-Ratna Park-Narayan Gopal Chowk-Buddhanilkantha route.

The consultant company was supposed to submit its report within eight months but it has been delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis, informed Director General of the department Balaram Mishra.

He further said that the concerned authorities have not held any discussions regarding the establishment of metro rail along the other routes.