India had agreed to support Nepal in the construction of railway links between Kakarvitta and New Jalpaigudi, Biratnagar and Jogbani, Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj Road, Bhairahawa and Nautanawa, and Jainagar-Janakpur and Bardibas to boost trade between two countries in 2005.[break]
An agreement to complete construction of first phase of the project -- Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jainagar-Janakpur-Bardibas routes -- within two years was signed during President Dr Ram Baran Yadav´s India visit in mid-February last year.
“We are concerned at the delay in implementation of the first phase of the project because of India´s indifference,” Ram Kumar Lamsal, chief of Railway Construction Project, told Republica.
According to preliminary estimates, construction of Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jainagar-Janakpur-Bardibas routes will cost Rs 2.08 billion and Rs 5.69 billion respectively.
The government has estimated that around Rs 800 million would be required to pay compensation for acquisition of 298 bighas along Jogbani-Biratnagar route and 112 bighas along Jainagar-Janakpur- Bardibas route.
Though the project has repeatedly been requesting the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) to call the meeting of Project Steering Committee (PSC) -- a panel comprising senior officials of both the countries to implement the project -- to expedite the implementation process, the ministry has yet to call the meeting.
“The ministry should have taken the initiative for the PSC meeting for exerting pressure on the Indian authorities to come up with DPR of the project at the earliest. We have lost more than a year doing nothing,” Lamsal added.
As per the agreement, India has to conduct detailed study of the project and undertake the construction works, while Nepal is responsible for acquiring land for the project.
“We can´t demarcate land required for the project until Indian authorities fix alignment of the project and finalize its estimated cost,” Lamsal added.
Meanwhile, a source at the MoPPW said preparations were on to call the PSC meeting in the second week of June.
Construction of Integrated Check Posts (ICP) at major customs points has also been delayed due to delay in settlement of compensation for land to be acquired for the project.
Though the agreement to construct ICPs was signed with India in 2007, the process is moving in slow pace due to delay in acquiring land and project designing.
As per the agreement, ICPs with similar facilities will be constructed at both the sides Nepal-India border in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. Total cost for the construction of four check points has been estimated at Rs 16 billion.
Rites Limited (India) will undertake the construction of all check points through which railway lines will connect towns within two to five kilometers from the border.
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