‘Kerung-Kathmandu railway in nine years at Rs 257 billion’

KATHMANDU, Aug 19: Construction of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway would be completed in nine years with State’s investment if the government invests Rs 28.55 billion every year.

According to senior divisional engineer at the Department of Railways, Prakash Bhakta Upadhyaya, a total of Rs 257 billion should be invested for the same. The Department informed this at a time when Nepali and Chinese teams have been holding discussions to give final shape to the preliminary study report prepared by Chinese Company.

A team led by Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management, Madhusudan Adhikari, left for China on Saturday. The distance of Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu is 72.25 kilometers. According to the Department, Rs 3.55 billion should be invested to construct one kilometer railway.

Significant discussion and understanding was reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang regarding railway construction during China visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli two months back.

Upadhyaya said bridge and tunnel have to be constructed in more than 98 per cent of railway. Detailed Project Report would be prepared once Nepali and Chinese officials approve the preliminary study report. RSS