India, Nepal review rail projects

Indian and Nepalese officials met here earlier this week to review the progress and discuss the pending issues for the construction of two railway projects, a statement issued by the Indian embassy said here Friday.

"A coordination meeting was held Feb 18 in Kathmandu, in the presence of secretary, physical infrastructure and transport ministry, other officials of the Nepal government, representatives of the Indian embassy and Ircon International Ltd, to review the progress and discuss the pending issues for the construction of two rail line projects - Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas," the embassy said.

"The meeting was fruitful and positive. It was informed that 68 percent of the work has been completed on the Indian side (Jogbani) and 20 percent of work has been completed on the Nepalese side (Biratnagar).

"On the Jayanagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas rail link, preparatory works like earthwork, station building, staff quarters and bridge construction are in progress," it added.

The statement said the Nepal government has "assured that the required land for the project, free from all encumbrances, will be acquired and handed over to Ircon at the earliest to expedite the work in both sectors".

Both sides agreed to provide all necessary support to expedite implementation of these important projects.