The ratification part remained neglected ever since Nepal signed the pact at a meeting of Transport and Railway Ministers of 17 Asian countries in Busan in 2006.[break]
The agreement was signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam and is regarded as a major breakthrough in the planned cross-continent transport system across the Asia-Pacific region.
"Nod from MoF underscores Nepal´s financial commitment to develop the rail project," Ram Kumar Lamsal, director general of the Department of Railway, told Republica.
The Ministry of Justice has already given its consent for the ratification. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) - the implementing ministry - said it will soon seek consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before bringing the agenda to the Cabinet.
"After getting Cabinet approval, we will register the proposal at the parliament for ratification. Once the parliament ratifies it, we will inform the United Nation about it," said Lamsal.
TAR is expected to ensure greater connectivity ensuring increased mobility of goods and persons through further link with the 81,000-km trans-continental railway network in Eurasia region.
TAR starts on the Pacific seaboard of Asia and ends up on the doorstep of Europe. It would cover 28 countries, which are the members of the United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNSCAP), and will provide greater regional connectivity between the two continents. Eight countries - China, India, Thailand, Combodia, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Russia and South Korea - have already ratified the agreement.
LoI for Korean firm
The government has issued the Letter of Intent (LoI) calling for an agreement with Chungsuk Engineering Company, which was recommended by a selection committee to prepare a Detail Project Report (DPR) for the construction of Bardia-Birgunj section of Mechi-Mahakali Electrical Railway system.
The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) - the implementing ministry - recently approved the draft agreement proposed by the committee headed by Lamsal.
Lamsal also informed his committee has recommended the name of Chungsuk Engineering to conduct the feasibility study and prepare a report for the proposed Metro Railway - a massive rapid transit (underground and elevated railway) system in the capital. "We will negotiate with the firm this Sunday," said Lamsal.
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