Shigatse-Kyurong railway line China's special priority

KATHMANDU, Feb 8: The government of China is planning to expedite construction of the Shigatse-Kyurong railway line, which the country sees as a gateway to South Asian countries, giving it a special priority under the government's policy and program.

The government's policy and program endorsed by the parliament of Tibet, the autonomous region of China, calls for speeding up the construction of the railway line.

The  railway line construction, which has remained a major issue of discussion for a long time, has received a formal go-ahead after the parliament's endorsement, said Hari Bashyal, who recently returned to Nepal after serving there as a consulate general in Lhasa.       

The issue of railway line construction has received a special priority in the Tibet government's policy and program 2016, along with the construction of cross border economic zone in Rasuwadi-Kyurong region with the support of the government of Nepal, he said adding.

With the aim to expand its business in the South Asian countries, China has already constructed a dry port about 35 km north of Nepal-China border in Kyurong valley. China has also urged India to construct an economic corridor to serve as a major gateway for eastern region of South Asia in Rasuwagadhi-Kyurong region.

According to Bashyal, the plan and program of Lhasa government has also given a priority to bring Hilsa-Purang border checkpoint in Humla district in operation after maintaining the infrastructures.

Bashyal and Consul Purushottam Dhungel had participated in the annual meeting of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference that was held last week in Lhasa.

According to Lhasa-based consulate general office, Luo Sang Jiang Cun, the head of the autonomous region of Tibet, had presented 12th Five-year-plan (2016-2020).

During a farewell ceremony of the Consulate General Bashyal, head of the government Luo Sang lauded his role in enhancing bilateral relationship between the two countries.

At the ceremony, high-level government officials held out the possibilities of linking Kathmandu with the Shigatse-Kyurong railway line. “If Nepal government insists on it, China is positive about extending the railway line even further,” they said.

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