India unveils Raxaul-Kathmandu rail line

India is all set to launch a railway link between Raxaul in Bihar and Kathmandu in Nepal as a part of pushing Delhi-led connectivity projects in Nepal amid the proposed Chinese economic corridor through the Himalayan state to India. The project is expected to be given the green signal during the PM‘s upcoming visit to Nepal, said official sources, elaborating that the project report of the rail line would be prepared by top officials of the two countries by first quarter of next year. Among other things, India also agreed to support Nepal to get access to oceans through inland waterways. India has reportedly given a tepid response to China‘s proposal for constructing a trans-Himalayan economic corridor connecting the two countries and Nepal is more keen on working bilaterally with Nepal on infrastructure and connectivity projects. The proposal for a trilateral economic corridor was mooted by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi after a meeting with his Nepalese foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali in Beijing recently. The two countries also propose to complete the stretch of railway lines from Jayanagar to Janakpur/Kurtha and from Jogbani to Biratnagar Custom Yard by the end of this year.