en.Wedoany.com Reported - India and Nepal reviewed the progress of the proposed Raxaul–Kathmandu railway corridor and other cross-border rail projects during a high-level meeting held in Kathmandu from June 11 to 12, signaling renewed efforts to deepen passenger and freight connectivity. According to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs, both sides agreed to maintain close contact to further strengthen cooperation in the railway sector.
During the 10th meeting of the Project Steering Committee and the 8th meeting of the Joint Working Group, officials discussed the Final Location Survey (FLS) report for the proposed 136 km broad gauge Raxaul–Kathmandu railway line, while also assessing progress on the Jaynagar–Bijalpura–Bardibas and Jogbani–Biratnagar railway lines, as well as plans for passenger services on the Janakpur–Ayodhya route. The new railway line is expected to provide direct access from Kathmandu to the Indian railway network, improving transportation for tourists, businesspeople, and pilgrims, especially those visiting the Pashupatinath Temple. Currently, the nearest railway terminus is located at Raxaul in Bihar.
India's Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has informed Parliament that the Final Location Survey (FLS) for the Raxaul–Kathmandu line has been completed, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared. Before approval, the report requires consultation with stakeholders and clearance from agencies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. The project stems from a bilateral agreement signed in 2018, aiming to build a new electrified railway connecting Raxaul with Nepal's capital.
During the talks, the two governments also reviewed the standard operating procedures for launching passenger services on the proposed Janakpur–Ayodhya section, options for providing technical support for Nepal's planned East-West Railway, and the possibility of adding more railway connections.
On the trade front, discussions were based on amendments to the India-Nepal Transit Treaty Protocol in November 2025. The amendments allow rail freight, including bulk cargo, between Jogbani and Biratnagar, and extend connectivity via major corridors to the ports of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. The Jogbani–Biratnagar railway line, built with Indian grant assistance, was jointly inaugurated by the prime ministers of both countries in June 2023, enabling direct rail transport of goods. The line is expected to enhance logistics, support Nepal's third-country trade, and further deepen bilateral economic ties.
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