Kathmendu, Oct. 14
The Group 25 Plus, a civil society group comprising
eminent persons of Nepal, has said that the Raxaul-Kathmandu Railway was not
the need of the hour and was not feasible economically so the country should
prioritise the Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway.
"The Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway will be benefit
Nepal in trade diversification and credibility. It is strategically and
geopolitically beneficial to the country as well," said the group in a
statement. "It truly makes Nepal a land-linked country and end Indian
monopoly and hegemony."
It said that Nepali people would not forget multiple
Indian border blockade and its dominating behaviour.
"Even during the COVID-19, India blackmailed
Nepal that if the latter did not allow the import vegetables from the southern
neighbour, it would stop the entry of other goods as well. This has happened
due to Nepal's over and one-sided reliance on India," read the statement.
Demanding the government to
expedite the study and construction of the cross-border railway with China, the
group said that the broad gauge technology proposed in the construction of the
Raxaul-Kathmandu Railway was outdated and Nepal should develop railways in
standard gauge.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 October 2020.
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