NEPAL’s prime minister, Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has approved plans for the construction of a new line to China. At a cabinet meeting held on July 11, Dahal endorsed an agreement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at enhancing connectivity between Nepal and China.
The decision comes shortly before Dehal leaves office and is viewed within Nepal as progress towards implementing BRI projects, as well as other new railways such as the 150km Kyirung - Kathmandu line.
According to local media, it is unclear when work on the new line will start and how it will be funded. A minister, whose identity has not been revealed, says: “This is an initial decision; details of project implementation and BRI modalities are yet to be finalised.”
The funding question is particularly relevant as the Nepali Congress has resolved to “only accept grants and not loans under the BRI project.”
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