India mulls Rail Link to Kapilavastu and Lumbini from Barhni
Kathmandu to connect with India through the Heritage Railway link
New Delhi: The Government of India has planned to lay a rail line from Barhni in Uttar Pradesh to Kathmandu in Nepal for which it has allocated Rs 54 lakh in the Railway Budget 2016-17 for its survey.
The proposed 359 km rail line between Barhni in Gonda district to Kathmandu is likely to connect two world heritage sites of Buddha circuit Kapilavastu and Lumbini and the famous Chitwan National park.
Last year, China had also announced its plan to lay a high speed rail line connecting Lhasa to Kathmandu passing through long tunnels in Himalayas including a tunnel under Mt Everest.
The government has allocated Rs 54 lakh in the new Rail Budget to survey the Barhni – Kathmandu rail link.
The proposal comes immediately after Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s recent visit to India between February 19 to 24.
According to sources, this railway line will not only boost tourism in both the countries but also prove to be an economic escalator to Nepal as it would enhance the trade and goods transport to Kathmandu.
Sources said, for laying of rail line, India will provide the adequate financial resources whereas acquiring land will be done by the Nepal government. With this link Nepal will get oil and goods easily.
Sources added that soon there would be a meeting with officials of Nepal for the survey of this rail link.
According to Chinese state media, China would be laying a 340 km railway line from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
The project is expected to be completed by 2020 but the cost of the project had not been disclosed. India too has not disclosed the cost of Barhni-Kathmandu link.
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