Patna: India–Nepal rail operations have been suspended for an indefinite period after youth-led unrest in Kathmandu prompted authorities to halt cross-border services on security grounds, disrupting travel on a key corridor used by workers, traders, and pilgrims between the two countries. Railway officials and local administrations indicated that services will remain paused until the situation stabilizes, with advisories urging passengers to switch to road transport and await further updates on resumption protocols.
The decision follows days of agitation in Kathmandu, where youth groups staged demonstrations that escalated into clashes, raising concerns about passenger safety, station security, and rolling-stock movement across sensitive junctions near the border. Operational agencies on both sides have begun contingency planning, including revalidating tickets, processing refunds, and coordinating with state transport and private bus operators to accommodate stranded travelers.
Logistics providers warned of short-term supply chain delays for perishables and small consignments typically ferried by rail, while tour operators flagged cancellations on pilgrimage and tourism circuits relying on the cross-border link. Officials said a phased restoration will depend on law-and-order assessments and joint consultations, with technical inspections to precede any trial runs before full-scale services return.
