Existing Railways 

The Nepal Railways Corporation Ltd (NRC) is owned by the government of Nepal. It maintains and operates two railway lines. Raxaul-Amlekhgunj (NGR) and Jaynagar-Janakpur-Bijalpura (NJJR), two short distance 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railways were introduced in Nepal during the Rana period. The 39 km long NGR built in 1927 by the British was discontinued later. There is only one functioning passenger railway in Nepal. The 59 km narrow gauge railway runs between Janakpur in Nepal and Jaynagar in India close to the border between the two nations. 

 

Sirsiya (Birgunj) Inland Container Depot 

The 6 km long 1,000 mm (metre gauge) railway track from Raxaul was converted to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge by the Indian Railways to connect Sirsiya (Birgunj) Inland Container Depot (ICD) that became fully operational in 2005. It facilitates direct movement of containers and other cargo from and to Calcutta port and other places in India. It is the most important entry point for imports into Nepal and is the life line of Nepal commerce and trade. Birgunj is 700 km (430 miles) from Calcutta port by rail. 

 

Proposed Expansion 

Talks have been held to reopen the 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railway route to Amlekhgunj by converting it to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge under Project Unigauge because of its socio-economic importance and also convert the Jaynagar-Janakpur railway line to broad gauge with extension upto Bardibas. Nepal has an ambitious expectation for running East-West Railway linking to Kathmandu. Nepal also hopes to have a North-South Railway line to link the railway systems of India and China. Nepal might be integrated with the Asian and SAARC railway systems too. But it might take a longer time and it depends much on the political situation in the region. A better and direct railway link with the Calcutta and Bombay ports in India is most important for Nepal. Janakpur, Birgunj and Bhairahawa are the three suitable points for this purpose. After the extension of broad gauge link to Janakpur and Bhairahawa, Birgunj will not be able to maintain its present position as the biggest entry point of Nepal. Lumbini-Hetauda- Janakpur section might be the first East-West Railway line in Nepal. These two entry points are not only of tourist value, they might also be the most economical routes for trade with India and overseas. 

 

The Birgunj Dry Port was the first in Nepal to be connected by broad gauge link. Biratnagar may be the second such point. Mahendranagar may also get a similar link. Construction of an electrical railway in Terai from Mechi to Mahakali has been considered. In 2008 too, serious proposals surfaced to build a link from Lhasa in Tibet, China to Nepal. Nepal has joined TransAsian Railway System since one and half year ago. 

 

Survey and Plans 

Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES Limited), an Indian engineering consultancy company, specialising in the field of transport infrastructure, has conducted preliminary surveys for the following broad gauge lines: 

• New Jalpaiguri (India) to Kakarvitta (Nepal) 

• Jogbani (India) to Biratnagar (Nepal) 

• Nautanwa (India) to Bhairahawa (Nepal) 

• Nepalgunj Road (India) to Nepalgunj (Nepal) 

• Jayanagar (India) to Janakpur (Nepal) with extension to Bardibas