China and Nepal on Thursday signed a deal to build a railway line connecting western Tibet with Nepal’s Capital Kathmandu in the next five years, Reuters quoted the Chinese media as saying. The two countries signed more than 10 agreements on technology, transportation, infrastructure and political cooperation.
Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is on a six-day visit to Beijing. “Cross-border connectivity” was Nepal’s top priority, Oli told state-run Chinese tabloid Global Times.
China and Nepal agreed to conduct a feasibility study by August and prepare a detailed report in the next two years. Beijing will pay for the cost of the survey. Only electric cargo trains will run on the rail network, reported the Hindustan Times.
India too has announced plans to expand its railway network from Raxaul in Bihar’s East Champaran district to Kathmandu.
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