India and Nepal have held high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral railway connectivity, with a key focus on launching passenger train services between Janakpur and Ayodhya and advancing several cross-border rail infrastructure projects.
The discussions took place during the 10th Project Steering Committee (PSC) and 8th Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings held in Kathmandu on June 11–12, according to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
A major agenda item was the finalisation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for commencing passenger train services on the Janakpur–Ayodhya route. The proposed service is expected to enhance religious tourism and people-to-people ties, linking Janakpur—widely regarded as the birthplace of Goddess Sita—with Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The two sides also reviewed progress on several strategic railway projects being developed with Indian assistance, including the Jaynagar–Bijalpura–Bardibas and Jogbani–Biratnagar broad-gauge railway lines. Discussions further covered the Final Location Survey (FLS) report for the proposed Raxaul–Kathmandu broad-gauge railway link, a landmark project expected to significantly improve connectivity between Nepal’s capital and the Indian railway network.
In addition, both countries exchanged views on technical support for Nepal’s ambitious East–West Railway Project, which aims to connect key districts across the southern Terai region.
The meetings reaffirmed the commitment of India and Nepal to expanding railway cooperation, improving cross-border mobility, and promoting economic integration through enhanced transportation infrastructure.