India and Nepal have reviewed progress on cross-border railway projects and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the sector. The talks also covered plans to start passenger train services on the Janakpur-Ayodhya route, according to an official statement.
The discussions took place during the 10th Project Steering Committee meeting and the 8th Joint Working Group meeting held in Kathmandu on June 11 and 12. Officials from both countries participated in the deliberations, the Indian Embassy said.
One of the key issues discussed was the preparation of standard operating procedures required for launching passenger train services between Janakpur and Ayodhya.
Janakpur, which is believed to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, is located about 220 km southeast of Kathmandu. The city shares strong religious ties with Ayodhya, and large numbers of devotees regularly travel between the two pilgrimage centres.
The two sides also reviewed the Final Location Survey report for the proposed Raxaul-Kathmandu broad-gauge railway line. Discussions were also held on the progress of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar railway projects, which are being developed with Indian assistance.
Technical support for Nepal's East-West Railway Link, a major project connecting districts across the southern Terai region, also figured prominently in the talks. Both sides discussed ways to move the project forward and strengthen rail connectivity between the two neighbours.
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