Railway Department Plans On-Site Study for Bharatpur Section of East-West Railway
Chitwan, 27 January
The railway department is set to conduct an on-site study for the proposed new route of the Bharatpur section of the East-West Railway. The initial study was delayed due to strong opposition from locals. A technical team, led by Director General Rohit Kumar Bisural, arrived in Bharatpur on Wednesday to commence the study.
A meeting, held on January 28th in Bharatpur Metropolitan City and attended by Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala, concluded that the east-west railway route should pass through Ward No. 8, 7, 4, and 16. The team presented two alternative routes connecting Golaghat via Aamptari and the Rapti coastal area via Tikauli.
Prior to the study, discussions were held with stakeholders at the Bharatpur Metropolitan City Hall, where the emphasis was on selecting a route that minimizes settlements and reduces damage to the city’s infrastructure. The study team, in coordination with political parties, experts, and local stakeholders, aims to advance the route planning.
During the discussion program, Bharatpur Metropolitan Municipality Chief Renu Dahal expressed concerns about building a railway line on old alternative routes. She urged the railway department to proceed with the work in a way that safeguards the well-being of the people and minimizes environmental impact.
Dahal noted that the planning report from 14 years ago no longer aligns with the current situation in Bharatpur, urging an update to the plans for the benefit of the community.
