1. Possibilities and
Challenges of
RailwayDevelopment in
Nepal
Presented by
Lt. Kanhaiya Poudel

3.  This is the picture of Train between
Janakpur and Jainagar in the Nepal Taken
in May 31 2012
 Currently this is also not functioning due to
bridge break down
 This picture really expresses condition as
well as challenges of railway transport in
Nepal

4. INTRODUCTION
 Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and
goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks.
 In contrast to road transports, where vehicles merely run on a
prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the
tracks on which they run.
 Track usually consists of steel rails installed on sleepers/ties
and ballast,

5. INTRODUCTION
CONTD….
 The Nepal Railways Corporation Ltd. (NRC) is
owned by the government of Nepal.
 It maintains and operates two railway lines.
 Raxaul – Birgunj 6 km broad gauge from
Raxual in India to Sirsiya Inland Container Depot or
Dry Port near Birgunj in Nepal
 Jaynagar -Bijalpura 53 km 762 mm (2 ft 6 in)
narrow gauge line from Jaynagar in India to
Bijalpura in Nepal. The latter line is composed of two
sections: 32 km between Jaynagar and Janakpur
and 21 km from Janakpur to Bijalpura.

6. AIM
The aim of this presentation is to study
about the possibilities and the challenges
of the railway development in Nepal.

7. SCOPE
 Introduction and history of railway transport in world
context.
 History of railway transport in Nepal.
 Various types of transportation system and their condition
in Nepal
 Railway transport in neighbouring countries.
 Conditions of existing railway transport in Nepal.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Railway Transport
 Government policy for transportation system.
 Government role for development of railway transport
 Future plans of government.
 Progress made in the field of railway transport.
 Possible effects of railway development in Nepal to
relationship with neighbouring countries
 Challenges for the railway development in Nepal.
 Recommendations and suggestions.

8. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF RAILWAY
TRANSPORT IN WORLD CONTEXT
 The oldest, man-hauled railways date to the 6th century
B.C, with Periander, one of the Seven Sages of Greece,
credited with its invention.
 In 18th and 19th centuries development of steam engine
by British.
 In the 1880s, electrified trains were introduced, and also
the first tramways and rapid transit systems came into
being.
 Starting during the 1940s, the non-electrified railways in
most countries had their steam locomotives replaced by
diesel-electric locomotives, with the process being almost
complete by 2000.
 During the 1960s, electrified high-speed railway systems
were introduced in Japan and a few other countries.

9. HISTORY OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN NEPAL
 Raxaul-Amlekhagunj (NGR) and Jayanagar-
Janakpur-Bijalpura (NJJR), two short distance
762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railways were
introduced in Nepal during the Rana period in
1927 by british.

10. VARIOUS TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
AND THEIR CONDITION IN NEPAL
 Nepal is a landlocked country with China to the North
and India to the South. Because of its mainly
mountainous terrain and difficult weather conditions,
roads and aviation are the major modes of transportation
in the country. Various types of transportation system
and their condition in Nepal are as followings.
 Roads.
 Air transportation..
 Railways.

11. RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN NEIGHBOURING
COUNTRIES
 Railway transport in China
On a global basis, China's rail transport volume
is one of the world's largest, having six percent
of the world's operating railways, but carrying 25
percent of the world's total railway workload.
 Railway transport in India .
The rail network traverses the length and
breadth of the country, covering a total length of
64,015 kilometres (39,777 mi). It is the 4th
largest railway network in the world,
transporting over 10 billion passengers and over
1050 million tonnes of freight annually.

12. CONDITIONS OF EXISTING RAILWAY TRANSPORT
IN NEPAL
 The Amlekhganj line closed in the 1960s.
About 6km of this route was subsequently
used for a broad gauge (5ft 6in, 1675 mm)
branch line from Raxaul to an Inland
Clearance Depot at Birgunj. This line is
operated by Indian Railways.
 The line from Janakpur to Bizalpura is
closed following a bridge collapse. The
remainder of the line from Jaynagar to
Janakpur (about 32 km) remains

13. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
RAILWAY TRANSPORT
Advantages
Energy-Efficient
Economical
Service
Pollution Control
Natural conservation
Less wear and tear

14. DISADVANTAGES
.
 Capital intensive system.
 Technical manpower required

15. GOVERNMENT POLICY FOR TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM
 The government has said that
enacting an Railway Act through
an ordinance is urgent in order to
speed up the country’s railway
development drive.
 It has already been sent its
recommendation to endorse the
act to President Ram Baran
Yadav.
 The board will be chaired by the
Minister for Physical Planning,
Works and Transport
Management for making policy
level decision.

16. GOVERNMENT ROLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
RAILWAY TRANSPORT
 Government has very important role in every
aspects of development from policy making
to its implementation.
 The government is preparing to enact
Railway Bill through ordinance, envisioning
formation of an autonomous body to
construct and manage the railway, and
provide fresh impetus to develop mass
transportation.

17. FUTURE PLANS OF GOVERNMENT
 The Ministry of Physical Planning and
Construction has set a target to
develop 4,000 kilometres of railway
tracks in Nepal in the next 20 years.
 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 metro rail in the Kathmandu valley

18.  Talks have been held to reopen the 762 mm (2 ft 6 in)
narrow gauge railway route to Amlekhganj 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
Jayanagar-Janakpuur railway line to broad gauge
with extension to Bardibas.
 A better and direct railway link with the Calcutta and
Bombay ports in India is most important for Nepal.
Janakpur, Birganj and Bhairahawa are the three
suitable points for this purpose.
 Lumbini-Hetauda-Janakpur section might be the first
East-West Railway line in Nepal.
 The Birganj 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
Tarai from Mechi to Mahakali has been considered.

19. PROGRESS MADE IN THE FIELD OF RAILWAY
TRANSPORT
 The government is drafting a railway law to provide a legal framework
for facilitating the construction of railway lines and operation of
railway services.
 The government has been working on building east-west and north-
south railways, a metro rail in the Kathmandu valley and cross-border
railway links with India.
 As construction of railway s involves a lot of money, the proposed act
has a provision allowing them to be built through public private
partnership and other investors from the private sector.
 In 2011, the Government Department of Railways appointed a
contractor to undertake detailed studies for a new 136km broad gauge
railway from Birgunj to Bardibas, part of an ambitious project for a
1300km rail network in the country.
 India is establishing cross-border railway links at five locations on the
Nepal-India border, expanding them to Nepali border towns.

20. POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF RAILWAY
DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL TO RELATIONSHIP
WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
 India has long been influential in Nepal, which it
regards as a buffer against China.
 Current development in railways also seems to be
more influenced by India.
 The Railways is concerned about China's railway
extension plan as it is likely to reduce Nepal's
dependence on India.
 Extension of railway network up to Kathmandu could
also help Nepal to import petroleum products
directly from Beijing

21. CHALLENGES FOR THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT
IN NEPAL
 Management of Funding gap through internal
resources and donor support
 Infra structure development in rugged
Topography and fragile
 Inadequate Maintenance considerations for
already constructed infrastructures
 Lack of political stabilities and prolonged
transition phase
 Need for controlling Corruption

22. RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
 To the Government Even though later, government has
started railway development plans in Nepal. For a
landlocked country like ours, dry ports and railway transport
seems really helpful. So, government , planning committee
and related ministries are suggested to implement the plans
made without a delay of single moment.
 To the private sectors Private sectors are also suggested
to invest in the field of railway transport.
 To the Political parties

23. CONCLUSION
Nepal has been able to expedite its effort in railway
development in the last few years. This has made it
possible that the railway connectivity at Jaynagar-Bardibas
involving conversion of 51 km railway line from Jaynagar
to Bijalpura into broad-gauge and its 17 km extension up to
Bardibas to start soon. Infrastructure including Railway
transport is seen as a vital tool towards poverty reduction.

24. ANY
QUESTIONS???

25. THANK YOU