Trains between Jaynagar and Kurtha soon: Rlys

PATNA: Train services between India and Nepal are likely to be started soon as the trial run was successfully conducted on Jaynagar-Kurtha route, a stretch of about 35km, at the speed of 110km per hour on Sunday. While Jaynagar is in Madhubani district, Kurtha falls in Dhansua district of Nepal.

ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar said the railways intends to start rail services on the route at the earliest. “Commissioner of railway safety (CRS), eastern circle, is likely to inspect the track condition and its fitness. Once he gives his green signal, the long-cherished dream of the people of the two countries for a rail service will be fulfilled,” the CPRO added.

“Work on first phase of the project from Jayanagar to Kurtha has been completed. The second phase will connect Kurtha with Bijilpura (17km) and the third phase Bijilpura with Bardibas (17km). The Nepal government has started the process of acquiring land for the third phase of the project,” said an official of Ircon International Limited, an undertaking of the ministry of railways. He added the entire stretch from Jaynagar to Bardibas is dotted with eight stations and six halts.

The ministry of external affairs has provided Rs 787 crore for implementation of the project after mutual agreement between the governments of the two countries in August 2018. A new rake of passenger train is ready to run from Jaynagar to Kurtha, the sources said.

Jaynagar-Kurtha rail line was built during the British Raj with the sole purpose of transporting wooden logs from Nepal forests. Later, this rail line was washed away in the devastating floods during pre-Independence period. Since then, direct rail communication between India and Nepal was completely snapped.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.