Pokhara, June 9

Following the agreement between the Chinese and Nepalese governments to develop railway transportation in Nepal, Chinese companies have started their work in the country of late.

So far, one of the companies has wrapped up the feasibility study of the Kathmandu-Pokhara railway project. China CAMC Engineering Limited, a company that has won the contract for construction of Pokhara Airport, has handed over the draft of the feasibility study to the government.

Railway Department Director General Ananta Acharya, talking over phone to this daily, confirmed that his office has received the draft. “Yes, the draft has reached us via the concerned ministry,” Acharya said, adding that his office was studying the document.

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, in December last year, had granted permission to the company to carry out the feasibility study for the project.

Meanwhile, another Chinese company has also written to the Office of the Prime Minister seeking permission for feasibility study of the proposed Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railway project.

The company that has applied to conduct the feasibility study is China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.

According to railway department DG Acharya, his office too has received a copy of the application the Chinese company has put in seeking permission to start work.

Speaking on the latest developments on the possibility of railway transportation in the country, Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry former chairperson Anandaraj Mulmi expressed hope that the country would take strides in development if the railway projects materialised.

“The Chinese companies have said that they will complete the railway projects in one to one-and-a half year after work starts. This will change the face of the country in terms of development,” he said.