DHANUSHA: Preparations to establish a railway connection between Janakpurdham in Nepal and Ayodhyadham in India have gathered pace, with Indian Railway officials conducting preliminary technical and safety inspections for the proposed cross-border service.
A 17-coach train, accompanied by Indian Railway officials, arrived at Kurtha Railway Station in Dhanusha on Thursday for an inspection of the railway infrastructure and operational readiness ahead of the proposed service.
The train, bearing identification number WDP-4D 40370, was brought from Ayodhya, India, to Janakpurdham. According to Nepal Railway, preliminary tests and inspections were carried out as part of preparations for launching the cross-border railway service.
Nepal Railway Company Limited General Manager Paribhar Parajuli said the 17-coach train had been brought in the first phase of preparations to operate the proposed railway service between the two religious cities.
He said that a formal agreement between Nepal and India on the commencement date and other operational and managerial arrangements was yet to be finalised.
According to Parajuli, on-site inspections are underway to assess railway infrastructure, technical capacity, security arrangements and other requirements for operating the service. Indian and Nepali railway officials are also scheduled to hold discussions on operational procedures, safety and technical preparedness.
The inspection is primarily focused on determining the feasibility of operating the proposed service, the capacity of the railway infrastructure and the security arrangements required for cross-border operations.
Although preparations have advanced, several technical and administrative procedures remain to be completed before the service can begin. Parajuli said the necessary work was being pursued at the institutional level.
The proposed railway connection between Janakpurdham and Ayodhyadham covers approximately 464 kilometres. Both cities hold immense religious and cultural significance in Nepal and India. Janakpurdham is revered as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, while Ayodhya is regarded as the birthplace of Lord Ram.
Establishing a direct railway connection between the two religious destinations is expected to boost religious tourism, facilitate cross-border travel and further strengthen people-to-people relations between Nepal and India.
Local businesspeople and residents have welcomed the preparations, expressing optimism that the railway service will increase the movement of religious tourists and create new economic opportunities. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, retail shops and other service-oriented businesses are expected to benefit from increased tourist arrivals.
Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Surendra Bhandari said the proposed railway service could significantly increase the number of visitors to religious and tourist destinations in Janakpurdham, benefiting local businesses.
He also called on the government to establish either Bhithamod in Mahottari or Jatahi in Dhanusha as a trade point to facilitate the movement of goods imported from and exported to third countries.
Bhandari said traders in the Janakpurdham region currently face higher transportation costs because they have to bring goods through distant trade points. Establishing a convenient trade point in the region would reduce transportation expenses and benefit both businesses and consumers.
Similarly, Rajesh Kumar Karna, a central member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, said the proposed railway service would further strengthen religious, cultural and people-to-people relations between Nepal and India.
He described the railway connection between Janakpurdham, associated with Goddess Sita, and Ayodhya, associated with Lord Ram, as particularly significant from religious and cultural perspectives.
Karna expressed the possibility that thousands of religious tourists from Ayodhya could visit Janakpurdham following the launch of the service. He urged the government to introduce appropriate cross-border travel arrangements and facilitate the movement of tourists from both countries.
He added that managing religious tourism through a long-term strategy could make a significant contribution to tourism development in Janakpurdham and other parts of Madhesh Province.
According to the proposed plan, the railway service is expected to be jointly inaugurated by Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Preparations are reportedly underway for the inauguration ceremony to be held in New Delhi, the Indian capital.
Railway officials, employees, senior security officials and administrative representatives from both countries are involved in preparations, with particular attention being given to security arrangements, technical inspections and administrative coordination.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had jointly inaugurated a bus service between Janakpurdham and Ayodhya. However, the service could not operate regularly for an extended period.
Against this backdrop, local residents have stressed that the proposed railway service should not remain limited to a formal inauguration ceremony but should be operated regularly and systematically to ensure lasting benefits for religious tourism, trade and bilateral relations.
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