KATHMANDU: Seven Chinese companies have shown their interest to carry out the feasibility study for the proposed Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railway.

The construction of the Nepal-China railway line was mentioned in a joint communique issued by the two countries during the official visit of the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China in March this year.

Ananta Acharya, Director of the Department of Railways, said that seven Chinese companies have shown their interest in carrying out the feasibility for the Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railway.

"There is a need of constructing many infrastructures such as bridges and tunnels for the railway given the mountainous and rugged topography and it needs a lot of budget. No agreement on this was made during the Prime Minister's visit but the topic was included only in the joint communiqué," he said.

Railway is considered a cheaper, faster and convenient means of transportation.

Earlier, a Chinese company had carried out the feasibility study for the Kathmandu-Pokhara railway line.

The study report has already been submitted to the Railway Department.

According to Director General Acharya, the Kathmandu-Pokhara railway is feasible as per the study report.