September 28: The Government of Nepal has made it clear that it is not in a position to construct the East-West Railway on its own. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Mohammed Istiyak Rai admitted that the East-West railway cannot be built with the investment of the government alone. Speaking to the journalists on Monday. Minister Rai accused the former government led by KP Oli of planning to build railways without any study and said that the government cannot build railways with its own investment. 

Minister Rai said that the Janakpur railway, which is currently operating in Nepal, is at a. He claimed that it would cost around Rs 1200 billion to build the East-West Railway. According to him, it will cost Rs 2400 billion to operate the train considering the price adjustment every year and the compensation for land acquisition. He clarified that since the country’s development budget is Rs 400 billion out of which only Rs 300 billion is spent every year, the government cannot build railways with its own investment. 

He said that the proposed railway can be developed only with the support from donor agencies.

Considering the current situation and resources, it is not viable to undertake the construction of the East-West Railway, said the minister. Besides the railway, Minister Rai also said that it is not relevant to operate ships in the waterways of Nepal as per the concept of the Oli government.

Minister Rai said that the development works have been delayed due to court cases and the court has not been much supportive to the government.

He expressed concerns that the contractors move the court against the government and drag the case from the district court to the Supreme Court. On the other hand,  the courts also issue stay orders delaying the process of development, said Minister Rai.