Kathmandu, December 22

The Development Committee of the Parliament has instructed the government to prepare a nationwide ‘rail network action plan’.

A meeting of the committee today concluded that construction of rail network in border areas would help create a base for economic development in the country.

The committee also instructed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and its subordinate bodies to carry out feasibility study for operation of metro rail service in Kathmandu.

It also asked the ministry to begin construction of Janakpur-Jayanagar railway and make it operational by the end of this year.

At the meeting, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak pledged to begin preliminary works for operation of metro railway service in Kathmandu.

“Necessary preparations are also under way for construction of east-west and north-south rail network,” he added. The ministry has also been told to complete construction of Bardibas-Simara railway track.

Similarly, the committee asked MoPIT and the Department of Roads to prepare Detailed Project Report of Rasuwagadhi-Kathmand and Pokhara-Lumbini roads, and Kathmandu-Birgunj railway.