Patna: Bihar’s cross-border railway ambitions have gathered pace, with officials confirming that the long-planned Raxaul–Kathmandu rail link is close to completing its Detailed Project Report (DPR), a crucial step before construction can begin.
Work on multiple rail projects in the state has intensified in recent months. After approving the third and fourth rail lines between Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction and Jhajha, authorities say the survey for the Raxaul–Kathmandu corridor will conclude this month, with the DPR expected by January 2026. The new line aims to establish a direct rail connection between Bihar’s Raxaul and the Nepali capital, significantly improving cross-border connectivity.
Once the DPR is finalised, the tendering process for track-laying will begin. Officials say nearly 80% of the preliminary work has already been completed by Konkan Railway, which will submit its report by the end of December. The line is also being explored as a possible link to a future Delhi–Nepal train service, potentially integrating it into a wider regional network.
The proposed corridor is expected to cut travel time dramatically. The current 136-km journey from Raxaul to Kathmandu takes roughly five hours by road; by rail, the trip may reduce to around three hours. Plans include the construction of 13 stations along the route. The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs. 25,000 crore, though officials note the figure may rise as plans are refined.
The Raxaul–Kathmandu project follows another major approval: the third and fourth rail lines spanning nearly 400 km from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction through Patna Junction and Kiul to Jhajha. Work on that project is scheduled to begin in March 2026, backed by a Railway Board sanction of Rs. 17,000 crore. To ensure faster progress, the line has been divided into smaller construction segments, including DDU–Danapur, Danapur–Fatuha and Kiul–Jhajha.
