KATHMANDU: Optimists can claim that it is a step forward to the eagerly-awaited Mechi-Mahakali and Kathmandu-Pokhara rail link.

Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) today said that it would begin the feasibility study of a 1,400-km-long project from next week. The UML-led coalition has set an eight-month deadline to RITES for submission of the report. The project is touted to be a one of a kind.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW), under Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, had chosen RITES-- a multi-disciplinary consultancy organisation in the fields of transport- in September for the feasibility study. Of the four companies in the fray, the Indian firm bagged the contract on the basis of its financial and technical proposals. RITES had made the lowest bid at Rs 80 million.

RITES official PK Gupta is confident that the study would be tabled within the stipulated timeframe.

“Our expertise, experience and international reputation will help us live up to the expectations of the Government of Nepal,” he claimed.

As per the Ministry’s assessment, the Mechi-Mahakali and Kathmandu-Pokhara railway links will be around 1,200 km and 200 km, respectively.

Purna Kadariya, secretary, MoPPW, assured that the ministry would extend all support to RITES to make the project a grand success.

“Once it submits its final report, then the government will place it before the Cabinet for the latter’s approval,” said Kadariya.

The senior MoPPW official had a tip or two for RITES as well.

He urged the Indian company to factor in socio-cultural, economical and environmental issues while compiling the study.

TP Sitaula, joint-secretary, MoPPW, said that the government was working with the Indian Ministry of Railways in tandem to set up a similar rail department in landlocked Nepal.

“We want to assess how rail can become a vital mode of conveyance in our country, which has certain inherent disadvantages like hostile terrain and erratic power supply,” said Sitaula.

The official, however, is hopeful that the power crisis would be resolved by the time railways would start its operation.

The proposed rail link between the capital and Lake City augurs well in light of major traffic congestion on the highways. It will also lessen travel time and boost the ailing economy.