Bijalpura – In a momentous event held today, the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, officially launched the operations on the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas cross-border rail link. Attended by dignitaries, including Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, the ceremony celebrated a significant step towards enhancing connectivity between India and Nepal.
The Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section, covering a distance of 17.3 kilometers, is part of the larger Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas project. Funded by the Government of India with a total project cost of INR 783.83 Crores, this initiative aims to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations. With the handover of this section to the Government of Nepal during Prime Minister Nepal’s recent visit to India, the project has reached a critical milestone.
This newly operational section encompasses five stations along its route, namely Kurtha, Pipradi, Loharpatti, Singyahi, and Bijalpura. Notably, the first phase of the rail link, connecting Jaynagar to Kurtha, was inaugurated last year and has been successfully serving the public since. At present, efforts are underway to acquire the required land for the third phase, which will connect Bijalpura to Bardibas.
During the inauguration ceremony, Minister Jwala expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for their unwavering support in Nepal’s infrastructure development, particularly in the rail sector. He emphasized that this rail connectivity will have a transformative impact on people-to-people linkages, trade, and tourism between the two nations. DCM Shri Shrivastava reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthening the development partnership with Nepal, fostering mutual benefits.
The operationalization of the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section brings reliable, affordable, and fast transportation to previously underserved areas in Nepal. This project is part of a series of connectivity endeavors by India, aiming to enhance physical connectivity between the two nations as part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
The completion of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas cross-border rail link project will not only facilitate the movement of goods and people but also contribute to the overall development and cooperation between India and Nepal. As Nepal moves closer to realizing its vision of an interconnected and modernized transportation network, the successful implementation of the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section serves as a significant milestone.
The operationalization of the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section underscores the commitment of both India and Nepal to deepen their bilateral ties and promote regional connectivity. This achievement is set to pave the way for further progress and development in the cross-border rail link, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange between the two nations.
