East-West Railway Line
An Engine of Nepal Railway
Overview
Other name(s)Mechi-Mahakali Railway
Native nameपुर्व-पश्चिम रेल्वे
StatusUnder-study
OwnerOffice Of The Investment Board
The Railway Department, Ministry Of Physical Infrastructure and Transport
LocaleTerai from East to West
Termini
Websitewww.dorw.gov.np
Service
TypeGovernment sector
Operator(s)Balram Mishra (Director General)
History
Commenced2008[1]
Technical
Line length945.44 km (587 mi)
Track length1,376 km (855 mi)4000 to 4,000 km (2,485 mi)
Route availabilityNot available
Conduction systemElectrified

The East-West Railway Line (Nepali: पुर्व-पश्चिम रेल्वे) or the Mechi-Mahakali Railway is an upcoming project in Nepal.[2] The railway will be the longest in Nepal, stretching 945.244 km (587 mi) expanding from the Eastern Indo-Nepal border of Kakarbhitta to the Western Indo-Nepal border of Kanchanpur.[3] Subsidiary lines will be added expanding the total project to 1,376 km (855 mi).[1]

History

The government[4] developed the concept of the East-West Railway in 2007, forming the Department of Railways in 2011. The project started in 2008, but due to various economic, environmental and coordination challenges it was delayed until March 2020.

Features

The network is expected to grow to 4,000  km within 20 years. This railway line is important for Nepal because it has long been dependent on India for its connection with the world through the Port of Kolkata and Vizag Port.[5]

Total bridges: 334
Longest Bridge: 1171 m over Koshi River
Total tunnels: 10 (26.7 km)
Longest Tunnel: 17.742 km[2]

Controversies

Lack of coordination of inter-governmental bodies and conflicts between the locals and the construction company for land acquisition and deforestation stimulated controversy. The proposed route passes through Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage site. The route was widely criticized and the proposal was rejected by UNESCO. It also was criticized for threatening rare wildlife.[1][6]

Progress

More than Rs2 billion was spent for land acquisition and research and development, which will cost some Rs8 billion. The total cost is estimated to reach $3 billion.[3] The initial track-bed has been laid across the 70 km Bardibas-Nijgadh section.[7][4] The senior divisional engineer at the Department of Railways, Aman Chitrakar[8] informed that the tracks will be laid after the construction of the track-bed from Kakadbhitta, Jhapa to Gaddachauki, Kanchanpur. A total of Rs 11.22 billion has been spent. The Government of Nepal is allocating Rs 4 billion annually for the expansion of the railway.[4]

Under the Bardibas-Simra Railway Project, of the 108-kilometre section, track bedding work on the 70-kilometre section (Bardibas to Nijgadh) is almost completed. About 50 km of track bedding is already finished. The construction of bridges and installation of culvert along the section is underway.[9][10]

Section

The railway project is being constructed in nine sections as below:

  1. Inaruwa–Kakarvitta Railway Project
  2. Inaruwa–Bardibas Railway Project
  3. Bardibas–Simra Railway Project
  4. Simra–Tamasariya Railway Project
  5. Tamasiya–Butwal Railway Project
  6. Butwal–Lamahi Railway Project
  7. Lamahi–Kohalpur Railway Project
  8. Kohalpur–Sukkhad Railway Project
  9. Sukhad–Gaddachowki Railway Project

References

  1. 1 2 3 "High Chance Of Delay In The Construction Of East-West Railway Project Over The DPR". www.nepal24hours.com. Nepal24Hours. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. 1 2 "EAST WEST ELECTRIFIED RAILWAY PROJECT". ibn.gov.np. Office of the Investment Board. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. 1 2 Pariyar, Binod (13 November 2018). "Survey begins for Mechi-Mahakali Electric Railway". myrepublica. Nagarik Network. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Progress of East-West Railway Sluggish". newbusinessage.com. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "Despite hassles, traders stick to Kolkata port Published". The Himalayan Times. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "DoRW plans new DPR of disputed section". thehimalayantimes.com. Himalayan News Service. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  7. ↑ Soti, Babu Ram (24 December 2019). "East West Nepal Railway Project. पूर्व पश्चिम रेलको नयाँ अपडेट। एक सुचनामुलक भिडियो॥". Babu Ram Soti. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "Information Officer". dorw.gov.np. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Bardibas-Simara electric railway continues amid lockdown". Khabar Hub. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "24 billion budget proposal for laying rail leakage from Bardibas to Nijgarh". Himal Sanchar. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
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