Presented byLt. Kanhaiya Poudel

Possibilities and Challenges of

RailwayDevelopment in Nepal

This is the picture of Train between Janakpur and Jainagar in the Nepal Taken in May 31 2012

Currently this is also not functioning due to bridge break down

This picture really expresses condition as well as challenges of railway transport in Nepal

Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks.

In contrast to road transports, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks on which they run.

Track usually consists of steel rails installed on sleepers/ties and ballast,

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION CONTD….

The Nepal Railways Corporation Ltd. (NRC) is owned by the government of Nepal.

It maintains and operates two railway lines. Raxaul – Birgunj 6 km broad gauge

from Raxual in India to Sirsiya Inland Container Depot or Dry Port near Birgunj in Nepal

Jaynagar -Bijalpura 53 km 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge line from Jaynagar in India to Bijalpura in Nepal. The latter line is composed of two sections: 32 km between Jaynagar and Janakpur and 21 km from Janakpur to Bijalpura.

AIM

The aim of this presentation is to study about the possibilities and the challenges of the railway development in Nepal.

SCOPE Introduction and history of railway transport in world

context. History of railway transport in Nepal. Various types of transportation system and their condition in

Nepal Railway transport in neighbouring countries. Conditions of existing railway transport in Nepal. Advantages and Disadvantages of Railway Transport Government policy for transportation system. Government role for development of railway transport Future plans of government. Progress made in the field of railway transport. Possible effects of railway development in Nepal to

relationship with neighbouring countries Challenges for the railway development in Nepal. Recommendations and suggestions. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN WORLD CONTEXT

The oldest, man-hauled railways date to the 6th century B.C, with Periander, one of the Seven Sages of Greece, credited with its invention.

In 18th and 19th centuries development of steam engine by British.

In the 1880s, electrified trains were introduced, and also the first tramways and rapid transit systems came into being.

Starting during the 1940s, the non-electrified railways in most countries had their steam locomotives replaced by diesel-electric locomotives, with the process being almost complete by 2000.

During the 1960s, electrified high-speed railway systems were introduced in Japan and a few other countries.

HISTORY OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN NEPAL

Raxaul-Amlekhagunj (NGR) and Jayanagar-Janakpur-Bijalpura (NJJR), two short distance 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railways were introduced in Nepal during the Rana period in 1927 by british.

VARIOUS TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND THEIR CONDITION IN NEPAL

Nepal is a landlocked country with China to the North and India to the South. Because of its mainly mountainous terrain and difficult weather conditions, roads and aviation are the major modes of transportation in the country. Various types of transportation system and their condition in Nepal are as followings. Roads. Air transportation.. Railways.

RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

Railway transport in China On a global basis, China's rail transport volume is one of the world's largest, having six percent of the world's operating railways, but carrying 25 percent of the world's total railway workload.

Railway transport in India . The rail network traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 64,015 kilometres (39,777 mi). It is the 4th largest railway network in the world, transporting over 10 billion passengers and over 1050 million tonnes of freight annually.

CONDITIONS OF EXISTING RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN NEPAL

The Amlekhganj line closed in the 1960s. About 6km of this route was subsequently used for a broad gauge (5ft 6in, 1675 mm) branch line from Raxaul to an Inland Clearance Depot at Birgunj. This line is operated by Indian Railways.

The line from Janakpur to Bizalpura is closed following a bridge collapse. The remainder of the line from Jaynagar to Janakpur (about 32 km) remains operational.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT

Advantages Energy-EfficientEconomicalServicePollution ControlNatural conservationLess wear and tear

DISADVANTAGES. Capital intensive system. Technical manpower required

GOVERNMENT POLICY FOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

The government has said that enacting an Railway Act through an ordinance is urgent in order to speed up the country’s railway development drive.

It has already been sent its recommendation to endorse the act to President Ram Baran Yadav.

The board will be chaired by the Minister for Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management for making policy level decision.

GOVERNMENT ROLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT

Government has very important role in every aspects of development from policy making to its implementation.

The government is preparing to enact Railway Bill through ordinance, envisioning formation of an autonomous body to construct and manage the railway, and provide fresh impetus to develop mass transportation.

FUTURE PLANS OF GOVERNMENT

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Construction has set a target to develop 4,000 kilometres of railway tracks in Nepal in the next 20 years.

Nepal has an ambitious expectation for running East-West Railway linking to Kathmandu. Nepal also hopes to have a North-South Railway line to link the railway systems of India and China. Nepal might be integrated with the Asian and SAARC railway systems too. But it might take a longer time and it depends much on the political situation in the region.

A metro rail in the Kathmandu valley

Talks have been held to reopen the 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railway route to Amlekhganj by converting it to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge under project Unigauge because of its socio-economic importance and also convert the Jayanagar-Janakpuur railway line to broad gauge with extension to Bardibas.

A better and direct railway link with the Calcutta and Bombay ports in India is most important for Nepal. Janakpur, Birganj and Bhairahawa are the three suitable points for this purpose.

Lumbini-Hetauda-Janakpur section might be the first East-West Railway line in Nepal.

The Birganj Dry Port was the first in Nepal to be connected by broad gauge link. Biratnagar may be the second such point. Mahendranagar may also get a similar link.Construction of an electrical railway in Tarai from Mechi to Mahakali has been considered.

PROGRESS MADE IN THE FIELD OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT

The government is drafting a railway law to provide a legal framework for facilitating the construction of railway lines and operation of railway services.

The government has been working on building east-west and north-south railways, a metro rail in the Kathmandu valley and cross-border railway links with India.

As construction of railway s involves a lot of money, the proposed act has a provision allowing them to be built through public private partnership and other investors from the private sector.

In 2011, the Government Department of Railways appointed a contractor to undertake detailed studies for a new 136km broad gauge railway from Birgunj to Bardibas, part of an ambitious project for a 1300km rail network in the country.

India is establishing cross-border railway links at five locations on the Nepal-India border, expanding them to Nepali border towns.

POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL TO RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

India has long been influential in Nepal, which it regards as a buffer against China.

Current development in railways also seems to be more influenced by India.

The Railways is concerned about China's railway extension plan as it is likely to reduce Nepal's dependence on India.

Extension of railway network up to Kathmandu could also help Nepal to import petroleum products directly from Beijing

CHALLENGES FOR THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL

Management of Funding gap through internal resources and donor support

Infra structure development in rugged Topography and fragile

Inadequate Maintenance considerations for already constructed infrastructures

Lack of political stabilities and prolonged transition phase

Need for controlling Corruption

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

To the Government Even though later, government has started railway development plans in Nepal. For a landlocked country like ours, dry ports and railway transport seems really helpful. So, government , planning committee and related ministries are suggested to implement the plans made without a delay of single moment.

To the private sectors Private sectors are also suggested to invest in the field of railway transport.

To the Political parties

CONCLUSIONNepal has been able to expedite its effort in railway development in the last few years. This has made it possible that the railway connectivity at Jaynagar-Bardibas involving conversion of 51 km railway line from Jaynagar to Bijalpura into broad-gauge and its 17 km extension up to Bardibas to start soon. Infrastructure including Railway transport is seen as a vital tool towards poverty reduction.

ANY QUESTIONS???

THANK YOU