September 17: India has sought permission from the Government of Nepal to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the Kathmandu-Raxaul Railway. India and China are among the two countries that have shown interest to invest in trans-border railway in Nepal. Meanwhile, China has said it will start the study only after the risk of coronavirus subsides.

According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, they are currently preparing to give permission to India for the DPR. The ministry clarified that there hasn’t been any discussion with China recently for the feasibility study.

China hasn’t been able to study the railway route that falls in Nepal due to the risk of coronavirus. However, China has started survey of the trans-border railway route between Shigatshe and Kerung that falls within its border.

In a virtual meeting between Finance Ministry and China International Development Corporation Agency (CIDCA) in late August, the two sides had agreed to start the survey of Nepal Tokha-Chahare and Syafrybesi-Betrawati tunnel sections of the railway after the  coronavirus pandemic subsides.

Meanwhile, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Gopal Sigdel informed New Business Age that India sought permission to prepare the DPR of Kathmandu-Raxaul Railway a few weeks ago.