China Proceeds Study Of Kerung-Shigatse Railway:
Although the study of the Kathmandu-Kerung railway could not be carried out due to COVID-19, the Chinese government has started the study in its territory. China has proceeds the study from Shigatse to Kerung near the Nepal border.
The Department of Railways has stated that the study of the railway is positive. The distance from Kerung to Shigatse is longer than from Kerung to Kathmandu. While the study of the Kathmandu-Kerung railway could not be carried out due to COVID-19, the Chinese government has started the study in its own country.
Director-General of the Railway Department Balram Mishra said that he has received information that the railway from Kerung to Shigatse is being studied in China. The department has stated that it is positive that the study is moving towards China. He said, "Once the situation becomes normal, there will be a study in Nepal as well."
Due to COVID-19, the study of the railway could not proceed. The length of the railway from China to Nepal will be longer. The length from Kerung to the border of Nepal is about four to five hundred kilometers. It is 72 km from Rasuwa to Kathmandu towards Nepal. In Kathmandu, Tokha is considered as 'Zero Kilo'.
The construction of the Kathmandu-Kerung railway has been given high importance by both the Governments of Nepal and China. The National Railway Authority of China had submitted the preliminary study report of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway to the Government of Nepal two years ago. Since then, discussions have been going on at various levels to move the study forward.
The agreement was reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal in September last year. Based on the political agreement reached at that time, an agreement was reached at the working level in Mangsir. During the visit, the Chinese team submitted a report on the feasibility study of the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railway.
The Chinese government had conducted a pre-feasibility study after showing interest in the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railway. A pre-feasibility study was carried out with the investment of the Chinese government. The study showed that a railway from Kathmandu to Lumbini via Pokhara was possible.
Nepal and Chinese officials had been holding discussions on the study of the Kathmandu-Kerung railway. The study will be completed in three phases. The first phase is an aerial survey, the second is the geographical investigation and the third is railway alignment. It is estimated that it will take about two years to study all three phases.
The study is estimated to cost 200 million Chinese yuan. The study on China's economic investment is moving forward. The National Railway Administration of China had prepared a preliminary study report of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway. The feasibility study report paved the way for more homework on how to build the railway.
The feasibility study report covers the geological study from Kathmandu to Kerung via Trishuli in Nuwakot, geography, texture, and linear condition. Similarly, special priority is being given to tunnels on the railway. There will be a detailed study based on the preliminary study.
Among the important documents signed on the occasion of President Vidyadevi Bhandari's visit to China, the Protocol to the Transit and Transport Agreement established Nepal's access to three Chinese ports and four seaports.
Similarly, the trans-Himalayan Multilateral Connectivity Network and the Nepal-China Border Railway will be of great help in expanding the connectivity network with China for landlocked Nepal.
