Cross-border connectivity gets a boost with India-aided rail project in Nepal

India-Nepal cross-border rail connectivity has received a further boost with operations commencing on the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas cross-border rail line. Jaynagar is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 4 km from the border with Nepal.

Nepal's Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala inaugurated operations on Sunday (July 16, 2023) during a ceremony held at Bijalpura. Political leaders from Madhesh Pradesh, officials from the Government of Nepal, and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu were present at the event.

This section of the rail line covers 17.3 km, stretching across the stations of Kurtha, Pipradi, Loharpatti, Singyahi, and Bijalpura in Nepal. This construction is happening under the grant assistance of INR 783.83 Crores by the Government of India. The formal handover of this section to Nepal took place in June 2023 during the India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

This is the second phase of the 68.72 km Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas broad gauge cross-border rail line project. The first phase, between Jaynagar (in Madhubani district, Bihar) and Kurtha (in Nepal) was inaugurated in April 2022. The Jaynagar-Kurtha section has eight stations, Jaynagar, Inarwa (on the border), Khajuri, Mahinathpur, Baidehi, Parwaha, Janakpur, and Kurtha.

The land acquisition for the third phase from Bijalpura to Bardibas is currently ongoing. Till 2014, a narrow gauge rail service was running between Jaynagar and Janakpur.

Jwala thanked the Government of India for its support in Nepal’s development endeavours, and highlighted that the rail connectivity boosts people-to-people linkages and enhances tourism in Nepal. Prasanna Shrivastava highlighted the commitment of the Government of India toward the development partnership between the two countries.

This project aims to bring reliable, affordable and fast transportation to new areas in Nepal. It is part of a series of connectivity projects by India and Nepal, and attempts to enhance physical connectivity between the two, towards the Government of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.