The first passenger train to run on broad gauge between India and Nepal is likely to be operational from December this year.
The train will run a 34 km stretch from Jayanagar in Bihar to Kurtha in Dhanusa district in Janakpur zone of south-eastern Nepal.
The station at Jayanagar will have an immigration checkpost which will be maintained by the Bihar government or the Bureau of Immigration.
For crossing the 34 km railway stretch between India and Nepal, no visa will be required for the citizens of both countries.
The railways have been informed by the Nepal authorities that the section will be opened with four trips and will operate in eight to 16 hour shifts.
The authorities hope to run both passenger and freight trains on the section in the future.Nepal will take rolling stock like- rakes, coaches and others on lease from India.
The proposal to construct new railway links between India and Nepal have been taken during Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s recent visit to India.
India and Nepal have plans to construct four cross- border railways, including one between Raxaul in Bihar to Kathmandu in Nepal.
The project which costs Rs 5.5 billion have been divided into three phases.
The first phase comprises construction of a 34-km segment between Jayanagar and Kurtha, the second comprises construction of an 18-km segment from Kurtha to Bhangaha in Mahottari district, and the third comprises construction of a 17-km segment from Bhangaha to Bardibas, reports NDTV.
However, only three kilometers of the total length of 69 km is in India.
The tickets of the first India- Nepal passenger train will be sold through unreserved ticketing system and passenger reservation system in Nepal will be facilitated by the railways.