Cabinet says revision needed

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: The Cabinet has sent the proposed railway plan back to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works asking the ministry to revise it.

The ministry about two moths ago submitted the railway plan to the Cabinet for approval.

The proposed railway plan is the government’s one of the most ambitious projects costing about US$ 12 billion (NRs 8 trillion). The ministry has proposed a total of 1,318-km electric railway tracks — Mechi/Kakarvitta-Mahakali/Gaddachuki (945km) and Kathmandu-Pokhara (185km). The project was scheduled to kick start in 2010 and completed in 10 years.

“The Cabinet sent the draft to back to the ministry asking it to revise the execution plan, said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works. “We have to re-start it from the ministry level and submit it again to the National Planning Commission (NPC).”

According to Sitaula, the earlier proposal had integrated all the projects in a package. “But now we have to change the construction plan for different sections,” he added.

The ministry and the Association of RITES Ltd and SILT Consultants signed a contract agreement for the feasibility study on November 2, 2009. The study began from November 16, 2009. The report was submitted to the government on July 26, 2010.

The consultants have identified alternative alignments for Mechi-Mahakali and Pokhara–Kathmandu railway lines and connection between proposed Mechi-Mahakali and Kathmandu-Pokhara railway lines via Tamsariya-Abukhairani (71.729km). In addition, network linkages with bordering towns of India at six locations too have been planned.

Project influence area consists of 24 districts in Mechi-Mahakali and six districts in Kathmandu-Pokhara section. It covers 40 per cent districts and 66 per cent of total population, according to the study report. The total length of the recommended alignment is 1317.475 km. There will be altogether four terminal stations, nine junction stations, one customs station, 122 intermediate stations, 56 tunnels (154km), 401 major bridges and 1,469 minor bridges constituting a length of 4.5 km along the network. The longest bridge is planned over the Madi River along Pokhara-Kathmandu railway line with a length of 1295 metres.

There will be additional six stations near Indian border up to which rail connectivity has been already planned under separate projects. Stations have been selected on the basis of economic, socio-economic, geographical, topographical and operating consideration.

The study has proposed ballasted track. However, it has recommended ballastless track in the tunnels. Track structure in a railway system consists of rails, sleepers, fastenings, ballast, turnouts, to name a few. For axle load of 22.9 tonnes, 60 kg 90 UTS rail will be provided. Main line track will be provided with long-welded rails.