India and Nepal held high-level meetings in Kathmandu on June 11-12, 2026, to review the progress of cross-border railway projects. The 10th Project Steering Committee (PSC) and 8th Joint Working Group (JWG) discussed the implementation of rail links and overall bilateral cooperation in the railway sector. These projects are being developed with grant assistance from the Government of India.
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Which railway lines and routes were discussed
The officials reviewed the progress of several key broad gauge railway lines and proposed links. IRCON International, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, is playing a lead role in executing these projects. The main focus areas included:
- Jaynagar-Bijlpura-Bardibas broad gauge line.
- Jogbani-Biratnagar broad gauge line.
- Raxaul-Kathmandu proposed broad gauge link (Final Location Survey report).
- Technical support for Nepal’s East-West railway project.
What are the updates on passenger services and cooperation
A major point of discussion was the Janakpur-Ayodhya section, where both sides talked about Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to start passenger train services. This route is seen as vital for strengthening cultural ties and boosting religious tourism. The Nepal side assured that necessary facilities would be provided to speed up the remaining sections of the railway lines.
Who led the delegations in the meeting
| Country | Key Representatives |
|---|---|
| India | Rohit Rathish (Joint Secretary, MEA) and Pradeep Ojha (Executive Director, Railway Ministry) |
| Nepal | Sushil Babu Dhakal (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which railway lines are being developed between India and Nepal?
The projects include the Jaynagar-Bijlpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar broad gauge lines, along with a proposed Raxaul-Kathmandu link.
What is the update on the Janakpur-Ayodhya rail service?
Both countries discussed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to launch passenger rail services on this route to promote religious tourism.