Electrified East West Railway Nepal

RAILWAY PROJECT

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Lead Government Agency	Office of the Investment Board & the Railway Department-Ministry of Physical Infrastructure & Transport
Geographical Location (Districts)	24 Districts (Mechi- Mahakali)

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PROJECT DETAILS

Project Cost (In USD)	3000 Million (Mechi to Mahakali)
Progress	Feasibility Study
Project Land Required (in Ha.)	2247 ha of forest (Mechi to Mahakali)
Project Documents Available	Feasibility Study Report
Form of Investment (PPP/Private Investment)	Public Private Partnership
Expected Fiscal Benefits to GoN	Development of economic infrastructure Creation of employment opportunities Better connectivity Industrial competitiveness Production/transportation cost reduction Reduction of traffic congestion Road safety Reduction of pollution

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND RELEVANCE/ OBJECTIVES

Railway has remained the least-explored means of transportation in Nepal though its development dates back to the 1920s. The British built the 39 kilometers Raxaul-Amlekhagunj and Jayanagar-Janakpur-Bijalpura, two short distance 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railways in 1927. Currently, Nepal Railway Company is dedicated to constructing 53 kilometers of railway track -- 32 km from Jaynagar in India to Janakpur in Nepal and 21 km from Janakpur to Bijalapur. Realizing the importance of railways in carrying freight and passengers, Nepal is planning to construct a railway line from east to west that connects the capital city; Kathmandu.

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RELEVANCE TO THE OVERALL ECONOMY

Implementation of this project is expected to facilitate public transport, as well as generate employment opportunities and contribute notably to the national economy through concrete transport infrastructure.

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SALIENT FEATURES OF THE PROJECT

• Total Length (Mechi to Mahakali) : 945.244 km
• No. of bridges : 334
• Longest Bridge: 1171 m ( Saptakoshi river)
• No. of tunnels: 10 (26.7 km)
• Longest Tunnel: 17.742 km