Kathmandu-India and Nepal have reviewed the progress of key cross border railway projects and discussed plans to expand bilateral rail connectivity during high level meetings held in Kathmandu on June 11 and 12.

The discussions took place during the 10th Project Steering Committee meeting and the 8th Joint Working Group meeting, where officials from both countries assessed ongoing railway cooperation and the implementation status of major rail projects.

According to a statement, the two sides reviewed progress on the Jaynagar, Bijalpura, Bardibas and Jogbani, Biratnagar broad gauge railway lines, which are being developed with grant assistance from the Government of India.

Officials also discussed the Standard Operating Procedures required to launch passenger train services on the Janakpur to Ayodhya route, a move expected to strengthen people to people and religious ties between the two countries.

The meetings further reviewed the Final Location Survey report of the proposed Raxaul to Kathmandu broad gauge railway line. Technical support for Nepal’s East West Railway project and the possibility of developing additional cross border railway links were also on the agenda.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and continue efforts to deepen cooperation in the railway sector as part of broader initiatives to improve regional connectivity and economic integration.