KATHMANDU, July 25: A freight train from Bathnah in India to Biratnagar in Morang will be operational within two weeks.
The cargo train will be put into operation in 10 to 15 days after the completion of the technical and administrative procedures between the governments of Nepal and India. Divisional Manager of Indian Railways, SK Choudhary said that the work of Bathanah-Biratnagar Railway with a length of 18.6 km has reached its final stage and that the cargo train can be put into operation in 10 to 15 days after the completion of the technical and administrative processes between the governments of Nepal and India.
"We have requested the Indian Ministry of Railways for the necessary budget for the construction of a railway repairing center at Jogbani," he said, “After the construction of the cargo center, new passenger trains will also be added for other places.”
Nepal, India sign LoE to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement, Ne...
Suyash Pyakurel, president of Industry Association Morang, said that the operation of the freight train will provide relief to the industrialists who are facing additional financial burden due to the rerouting of freight vehicles due to the obstruction at the Mirganj bridge. Stating that this project will prove to be a milestone in the growth of trade between Nepal and India through this region, he urged the officials of India and Nepal to put the freight train into operation by solving the small obstacles without delay and said that the Industry Association Morang is ready to facilitate on behalf of the private sector.
Mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Nagesh Koirala expressed his commitment of full cooperation from the side of the Metropolitan City to bring the important cargo train into operation for the expansion of trade between the two countries and said that he will ask the Prime Minister to complete the technical and administrative procedures to be done on behalf of the Government of Nepal.
Assistant Chief District Officer of Morang, Sharad Kumar Pokharel said that the Morang administration will provide full support in solving the obstacles encountered during the construction.
During the discussion, chief officer of Biratnagar Customs, Tara Prasad Sapkota said that if there is a problem in import and export due to the Mirganj bridge, revenue collection will also be affected. He also said that the customs will help to put the cargo train into operation. Engineer Roshan Kumar Dev of the Railway Department of Nepal said that the Biratnagar-Bathnah train will be brought into operation after the technical teams of both countries test the technical aspects of the project under construction and complete other administrative procedures.
The senior vice president of the organization, Pradeep Murarka, said that he is ready to build a tank at his own expense to store the raw materials of the edible oil producing industries in the region and requested the Divisional Railway Manager to facilitate the same. The former presidents of the organization, Kishore Pradhan and Ashok Murarka, said that along with the water freezing in the Jogwani railway yard, there is a problem in unloading the goods of Nepal at night.
Rakesh Surana, a former vice president of the organization and an industrialist, emphasized on the addition of new trains by identifying more destinations since the number of passengers traveling from Nepal to various places in India for treatment, study and religious purposes is high.
