Kathmandu, May 22
A team consisting of Chinese and Nepali technicians has begun the preliminary feasibility study for the development of a railway project connecting Kyirong of Tibet to Kathmandu.
The team began its work on Monday and is expected to submit its report by August end. The technicians, who work for China Railway for Survey and Design Institute, surveyed various parts of the Kathmandu Valley on Monday before heading to the border with officials from Nepal’s Department of Railway.
This comes two months after a team led by Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Madhu Sudan Adhikari visited China to ink an agreement to carry out the study.
According to an official at the Railway Department, the first report will work as a road map to begin construction work. The report will also name possible stations for the railway line and list geographical difficulties that may arise during construction.
Although experts are yet to decide on the location of the railway stations, Tokha is being considered as an entry point for Kathmandu, informed an official.
The construction of the Kyirong-Kathmandu, Kathmandu-Pokhara, and Kathmandu-Lumbini railways was also mentioned in the annual policy and programmes unveiled by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday.
