Nepal Railway Company Limited
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 Janakpur station
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| Technical | |
|---|---|
| Line length | 50 |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
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The Nepal Railways Corporation Ltd. (NRC) (reporting mark NR / ने. रे) is owned by the Nepalese Government. It maintains and operates two railway lines: the Raxaul-Sirsiya line, which a 6 km, 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) line from Raxaul (in India) to Sirsiya Inland Container Depot (or Dry Port) near Birganj (in Nepal); and the Jainagar-Janakpur line, which is a 53 km, 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) line from Jainagar (in India) to Janakpur (in Nepal). The Jainagar-Janakpur line is primarily used for passenger transport, while the Raxaul-Sirsiya line is primarily used for freight transport.
History
Raxaul-Amlekhagunj (Nepal Government Railway (NGR)) a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railways were introduced in Nepal during the Rana period. The 39 km long NGR, built in 1927 by the British, was more important as it allowed people from different parts of the country to reach Amlekhganj to get lorries for Bhimphedi. One could then reach Kathmandu from Bhimphedi on foot. The railway was closed down.
The Jayanagar-Janakpur-Bijalpura (NJJR), a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway, was also introduced during Rana period. The Jayanagar-Janakpur-Bijalpura line is under conversion to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) with extension to Bardibas.[1]
The 6 km long 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge railway track from Raxaul was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) by the Indian railways to connect Sirsiya (Birganj) Inland Container Depot (ICD) that became fully operational in 2005. It facilitates direct movement of containers and other cargo from and to Kolkata port and other places in India. It is the most important entry point for imports into Nepal and is essential for Nepal's commerce and trade. Birganj is 700 km (430 mi) from Kolkata port by railway.
Future expansion
Nepal has an ambitious expectation for running East-West Railway linking to Kathmandu and a North-South Railway line to link the railway systems of India and China through Kathmandu. Lumbini-Hetauda-Janakpur section might be the first East-West Railway line in Nepal. These two entry points are not only of tourist value, they might also be the most economical routes for trade with India and overseas. The Birganj Dry Port was the first in Nepal to be connected by broad gauge link. Biratnagar may be the second such point. Mahendranagar may also get a similar link.
Survey and plans
RITES of Indian Railways has conducted preliminary surveys for the following broad gauge lines:
- New Jalpaiguri (India) to Kakadvitta (Nepal)
- Jogbani (India) to Biratnagar (Nepal)
- Nautanwa (India) to Bhairahawa (Nepal)
- Nepalganj Road (India) to Nepalganj (Nepal)
Railway stations
- Raxaul-Sirsiya Birganj – Entry point in Nepal for containers and break-bulk cargo
- Jaynagar - Jayanagar in India interchange and break-of-gauge
- Janakpur - A town in Nepal.
- Bijalpura - terminus in Nepal.[2]
Safety
The Nepal Railways Corporation has a good safety record. In August 2012, a serious incident occurred when a locomotive ran away, after the driver alighted for refreshment. The unmanned locomotive ran from Jaynagar to Janakpur, at speeds far exceeding the restrictions on the line. At Janakpur, staff diverted the light engine onto a disused siding, on which they had placed heavy obstructions. The engine was halted and nobody was injured.[3]
See also
