KATHMANDU: China has proposed to move ahead with the proposed Kerung-Kathmandu Railway in a phased manner. China has committed to take these projects to the implementation stage as soon as the impact of COVID-19 subsides.

In a video conference held between the high-ranking officials of Nepal and China on Thursday, an agreement was reached on the construction of a Chinese-assisted project including a trans-Himalayan railway.

Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Shishir Kumar Dhungana and Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Deng Boqing discussed the implementation of the project under construction and proposed with Chinese assistance.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the two sides also discussed the initiatives to be taken for the speedy implementation of the proposed projects.

During the video discussion, CIDCA Vice President Deng stressed that China is committed to the implementation of the proposed projects with Chinese assistance and that good planning and coordination between the two sides is needed for the implementation.

He also said that the second phase of the project of upgrading Araniko Highway and Kathmandu Ring Road would start soon.