Kathmandu, November 12
The Investment Board Nepal, after conducting a feasibility study on the construction of railways in Kathmandu, has suggested that two railways be constructed in the Valley within next four years.
Its implementation, however, is under question as no preparations have been made for it.
The Board has also estimated that constructing the two routes will cost Rs 316 billion.
Earlier, the Board had formed a high-level committee for the feasibility study. The committee had National Planning Commission’s Hirendra Man Pradhan, Board’s Madhu Sudan Bhetwal, Ministry of Finance’s Baikuntha Aryal, Ministry of Transport Management’s Ananta Acharya and Department of Railway’s Bishnu Om Bade as members.
The Board’s spokesperson Uttam Bhakta Wagle says the first proposed route stretches from Naagdhunga of Kathmandu to Dhulikhel of Kavre. It will be 54 kilometres.
Likewise, the second proposed route connects Budhanilakantha of Kathmandu to the beginning point of Kathmandu-Tarai fast track in Lalitpur. It will be 25 kilometres.
The Board says the first route should be prioritised.
Detailed project reports are yet to be prepared for both the routes. It is said that 35 megawatt power is needed to operate each of the systems.
Around four million people commute in the valley everyday. Transport engineers say other means except the railway cannot bear the pressure of passengers if a city has more than three million regular commuters.
