The firm, which has been entrusted to conduct feasibility study of the ambitious project, has also sketched out preliminary alignments of both Mechi-Mahakali and Kathmandu-Pokhara electrical railway lines.
Presenting its work-plan for the study to Nepali authorities and stakeholders, representatives from RITES formally proposed to link the track of Mechi-Mahakali railway line with Indian railways network along Kakarbhitta-New Jalpaiguri, Biratnagar-Jogbani, Janakpur and Bardibas-Jainagar, Birgunj-Raxaul, Bhairahawa-Sunauli and Nepalgunj-Rupaidiya points.
“We have incorporated a plan to connect six bordering towns of the two countries under our feasibility study," PK Gupta, representative from RITES, said at a program in the capital. He stated that connection between Mechi-Mahakali 1100-km line and Kathmandu-Pokhara 190-km line will also be established to increase wider connectivity in the catchment areas of both the lines.
According to RITES, the total length of the railway lines will be around 1400 km. RITES has also said initially three alternatives alignments would be studied. As per the study plan, one optimum alignment will be finalized -- based on the result of traffic demand survey and forecast -- before plan and profile of finally selected alignment is prepared.
“Environment, social and geological studies will also be carried out simultaneously and their output will be used to modify the alignment wherever considered necessary,” said Gupta.
RITES has also outlined the objectives of feasibility study. The objectives include selecting of alignment and preliminary engineering designs for the railway system, traffic survey and determining the existing and future transport demand, formulation of train operation plan, electrification, signaling and telecom system.
Similarly, estimation of cost for track, bridges, power supply arrangement, overhead electrical lines, signaling and telecommunication stations, assessment of technical and economic feasibility, assessment of environment and social-economic impacts and recommendation of impact management plans are also involved under the study.
The study will involve national and international experts. Gupta said international experts will be mainly involved to work as team leader, alignment design engineers, train operation analysts, coaches and wagons experts, economic and financial analyst and tunnel engineers among others. Nepali experts will be deputed as deputy team leader, transport engineer, structure bridge engineer, economic and financial analyst, social expert, quantity survey engineers, mapping experts and geotechnical engineers for the project.
RITES also presented a projected timeline for the feasibility study. As per the program, the study commenced on November 16 and final study report will be presented by 15 July, 2010. RITES will provide Inception Report within one month of the commencement of study, while Mid-Term Review Report will be submitted three month after the submission of inception report. Draft final feasibility report will be prepared by June 15, 2010 - one month before the final report is expected.
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