janakpurdham : The government has completed technical preparations for the operation of Janakpur-Jayanagar railway. Nepal Railway Company Limited has stated that preparations for the regular operation of the train have been completed with the formal inauguration. The company has stated that it will take over the structure from Indian Concon soon. Although the government of India will formally hand over the structure to the government of Nepal soon, the company is now taking responsibility for the operation, said Guru Bhattarai, general manager of the company. In coordination with the company, 26 technical staff are being brought.

“It will include train drivers, station masters, power managers and senior traffic managers,” he said. The issue of agreement with India will be discussed in today’s cabinet meeting. The meeting will also discuss the standard operating procedure. He said that discussions would also be held with India on bringing manpower and necessary materials from Uttar Pradesh. Talks have been held with the company on procurement materials and manpower. The team also made a site visit from Uta. He said, “As soon as the letter from Yata, the team is ready.” Director General Bhattarai said that Nepali staff and others were in a state of technical readiness. The Armed Police Force (APF) is ready to provide security for the railways and the company.

“Talks have been held with the administration,” he said. The Prime Minister of Nepal and the Prime Minister of India are discussing to jointly inaugurate the regular operation of the train, the company said. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend. Bhattarai said that it was not decided whether he would be present physically or virtually. He said, “The date of the inauguration will be fixed only after the prime ministers of both the countries get their time.” General Manager Bhattarai said that the issue of fare and ticket has already been decided. The computer is ready to be bought and kept there. The company has already made a proposal to the ministry regarding the fare.

He said that other vehicles including buses are being prepared for rent. A fare of Rs. 75 has been fixed for 35 km of rail travel in normal seats. “The deluxe fare will be four to five times higher than usual,” he said. Today’s cabinet meeting is expected to facilitate the launch of the service. The company will now provide one-week training to Nepali workers, said General Manager Bhattarai. According to him, the importance of railways should be explained and the safety of which materials should be explained. At present, priority is given to those who have worked before in the selection of workers. He said that the person was kept in a state of readiness to start work immediately. He said, “Regular operation will be completed within two to three weeks.”

After the operation of the train, the people and traders of the area are expected to be comfortable in transportation. Railways will still facilitate transportation as vehicles are still in operation. As the railway will reach Bardibas and the east-west railway will also go to Bardibas, the government has taken a plan to connect there. Two sets of demo trains were brought on September 20 to operate the railway constructed with the financial and technical assistance of the Government of India. According to the Department of Railways, the train can carry 1,200 to 1,300 passengers sitting and standing.

As it is a passenger train, only passenger bags and general luggage can be kept. During the Rana period in Nepal, there was a railway service from Raxaul in India in 1984 BS to Amalekhgunj in Nepal and from Jayanagar to Janakpur in 1994 BS. The long-delayed railway service is in line with the current government’s national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepal’. The construction of the railway from Kurtha to Jayanagar was completed last year.The total length of the train will be 35 km. Construction of additional 17 km railway from Kurtha to Bijulpura has reached the final stage. The department has stated that the train will be operated in 52 km from Vijalpura soon.