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{{Short description|Developmental project for India and Nepal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{About|India Nepal Railway Connectivity Project|India Nepal relations|India-Nepal relations}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations
| title = India Nepal Connectivity Project
| party1 = India
| party2 = Nepal
| flagvariant1 = {{flag|India}}
| flagvariant2 = {{flag|Nepal}}
}}
{{Infobox project
| name = India-Nepal Railway Connectivity Project
| country = {{plainlist|
{{flag|India}} {{flag|Nepal}}
}}
| ministry = Ministry of External Affairs
| current_status = {{green|Active}}
| website = {{URL|www.mea.gov.in}} {{URL|www.mea.gov.np}}
| status =
| mission_statement = "To develop better connectivity for both the countries by rail"
| type = [[Rail transport]]
| owner = [[Government of India]] [[Government of Nepal]]
| founder = India and Nepal
| established = {{start date and age|2017}}
|key_people={{flag|India}}
* [[Narendra Modi]] ([[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]])
* [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]] ([[Ministry of Railways (India)|Minister of Railways]])
* [[S. Jaishankar]] ([[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (India)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]])
{{flag|Nepal}}
* [[K. P. Sharma Oli]] ([[Prime Minister of Nepal|Prime Minister]])
* [[Devendra Dahal]] ([[Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (Nepal)|Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport]])}}

'''The India-Nepal Railway Connectivity Project''' is a collaborative initiative between [[India]] and [[Nepal]] aimed at enhancing rail connectivity between the two neighboring countries. The project is designed to facilitate trade, tourism, and regional integration by improving cross-border transportation infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministry of External Affairs |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39121/Meetings+of+Project+Steering+Committee+and+Joint+Working+Group+on+IndiaNepal+crossborder+railway+links+held+in+New+Delhi+February+2728+2025 |website=MEA}}</ref> Several railway links are planned or under development under this initiative, including the [[Jaynagar–Bardibas railway line|Jaynagar–Bardibas Railway]], [[Raxaul–Kathmandu railway line|Raxaul–Kathmandu Railway]], Jogbani–Biratnagar Railway, and New Jalpaiguri–Kakarbhitta Railway.<ref>{{Cite news |title=India plans rail tracks through Nepal to bypass Chicken's Neck |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/india-plans-rail-tracks-through-nepal-to-bypass-chickens-neck/articleshow/111767186.cms |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rail Link between Nepal and India |url=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-analysis/rail-link-between-nepal-and-india |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Drishti IAS |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Government of India|Indian Government]] is playing a major role in funding and executing these projects, primarily through [[Ircon International|IRCON International]], a [[Subsidiary|wholly-owned subsidiary]] of [[Indian Railways]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rail Link between Nepal and India |url=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-news-analysis/rail-link-between-nepal-and-india |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Drishti IAS |language=en}}</ref> Nepal's railway operations are overseen by the [[Nepal Railway Company Limited|Nepal Railway Company]].

==Background==
{{Main|India–Nepal relations}}

Historically, India and Nepal shared multiple railway links under the [[Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship|India Nepal Friendship Treaty]], some operational since the early 20th century. However, many of these routes became inactive over time. In recent years, both governments have prioritized the revival and expansion of cross-border railways to enhance economic and social ties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=रेलवे बन रहा भारत-नेपाल संबंधों की कड़ी, जयनगर-जनकपुर विस्तारित रेल लाइन पर रविवार से शुरू होगी सेवा - India Nepal Railway Network Railway is becoming the link of India Nepal relations rail service will start from Sunday on Jaynagar Janakpur extended rail line |url=https://www.jagran.com/news/national-india-nepal-railway-network-railway-is-becoming-the-link-of-india-nepal-relations-rail-service-will-start-from-sunday-on-jaynagar-janakpur-extended-rail-line-23472332.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}</ref> However, after [[Indian independence movement|India's independence]] and Nepal's [[Nepalese democracy movement|transition]] from [[King of Nepal|monarchy]] to democracy, several of these routes became inactive or discontinued due to infrastructure decay and policy changes.

Recognizing the importance of modernizing rail connectivity, India and Nepal signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] in 2018 to revive and expand cross-border railway links.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nepal-India sign MoU for Kathmandu-Raxaul railway link |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/nepal-india-sign-mou-for-kathmandu-raxaul-railway-link/articleshow/86872049.cms |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Key Railway Projects ==

{{Main|Jaynagar–Bardibas railway line|Raxaul–Kathmandu railway line}}
[[File:Nepal railway train is standing at Janakpur Dham railway station.jpg|thumb|Nepali train standing on Janakpuri railway station part of [[Jaynagar–Bardibas railway line]].]]

===Jaynagar–Bardibas railway line===

The Jaynagar–Bardibas railway<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thakur |first=Rajesh Kumar |date=2023-08-13 |title=Railways planning five new lines along Nepal, Bangladesh borders |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/story/thesundaystandard/2023/aug/13/railways-planning-fivenew-lines-along-nepalbangladesh-borders-2604679.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Cross-border rail link between Nepal and India becomes operational |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/cross-border-rail-link-between-nepal-and-india-becomes-operational/articleshow/101803891.cms |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> is a key railway link connecting Jaynagar in Bihar, India, to Bardibas in Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-03-05 |title=India, Nepal take stock of implementation of key cross-border railway projects |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-nepal-take-stock-of-implementation-of-key-cross-border-railway-projects-3431999 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://farakdhar.com/story/56933/|title=जनकपुर-जयनगर रेल्वे ट्रयाकको परीक्षण सम्पन्न, सञ्चालन हुने टुंगो छैन |trans-title=The Janakpur-Jayanagar railway track has been tested, the operation is not yet finished |language=Nepali |website=Farakdhar {{pipe}}{{pipe}} Nepal's Online Magazine|access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="dorw">{{Cite web|title=India – Nepal broad gauge passenger train service launched |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/india-nepal-broad-gauge-passenger-train-service-launched/61314.article |access-date=8 June 2024 |publisher=Railway Gazette International |date=5 April 2022}}</ref>

Stations between Jaynagar to Bijalpura:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/first-broad-guage-passenger-link-between-india-and-nepal-566516.html |title=Explained: First Broad Gauge Passenger Train Between India And Nepal |date=10 April 2022 |publisher=India Times |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref>
*Jaynagar (India)
*Inarwan (Nepal)
*Khajuri (Halt)
*Baidehi
*Parbaha
*[[Janakpurdham railway station|Janakpurdham]]
*Kurtha
*Khutta Pipradhi
*Loharpatti
*Singyahi
*Bhangaha (formerly Bijalpura)

The project is being developed in multiple phases:

* Phase 1 (Jaynagar–Kurtha, 34 km) was inaugurated in 2022
* Phase 2 (Kurtha–Bijalpura, 17 km) is under development
* Phase 3 (Bijalpura–Bardibas, 17 km) is planned for future expansion

===Raxaul–Kathmandu railway line===

The Raxaul–Kathmandu railway<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepal to raise its concerns about the DPR of Raxaul-Kathmandu railway |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/01/16/nepal-to-raise-its-concerns-about-the-dpr-of-raxaul-kathmandu-railway |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref> is a proposed cross-border rail project connecting Raxaul (Bihar, India) with Kathmandu (Nepal). India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2018 for feasibility studies, with the project expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embassy of India Kathmandu, Nepal |url=https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/media-detail/256 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.indembkathmandu.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>

===Jogbani–Biratnagar railway line===

The Jogbani–Biratnagar railway line<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepal तक जाने को बेताब Indian Railway, जोगबनी-विराटनगर प्रोजेक्ट तैयार, काडमांडू से दिल्ली तक हलचल |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/bihar/araria/indian-railway-jogbani-viratnagar-rail-project-ready-nepal-rail-work-complete/articleshow/99843703.cms |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref> is another key railway link aimed at boosting trade and passenger connectivity.

* Phase 1 (8 km from Jogbani to Biratnagar) is under construction
* Phase 2 (further expansion towards Nepal's interior regions) is planned

===New Jalpaiguri–Kakarbhitta railway line===

The New Jalpaiguri–Kakarbhitta railway line<ref>{{Cite web |title=India, Nepal to construct new railway link for smooth people-to-people transit |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/india-nepal-to-construct-new-railway-link-for-smooth-people-to-people-transit201804071712060001/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref> is a proposed railway project to link New Jalpaiguri (West Bengal, India) with Kakarbhitta (Nepal). It aims to enhance connectivity between eastern Nepal and India's northeastern states.

== Strategic importance ==
{{Further|Tourism in Nepal}}
Since, Nepal's largest trade partner is India,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Trade and Commerce |url=https://in.nepalembassy.gov.np/trade-and-commerce/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=New Delhi, India - Embassy of Nepal |language=en-US}}</ref> the India Nepal Railways Connectivity Project will:

*Strengthen economic ties by facilitating trade and transportation.
*Improve tourism by making travel between India and Nepal more convenient.
*Enhance regional integration by connecting Nepal with India's broader railway network.

==See also ==

{{Portal bar|India|Railways|Transport|Nepal}}
*[[Jaynagar Junction railway station]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:India–Nepal relations]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Nepal]]
[[Category:International railway lines]]
[[Category:Transport infrastructure in Nepal]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Bihar]]
[[Category:Rail transport in West Bengal]]

India–Nepal Railway Connectivity Project - Revision history

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