Feasibility Study of Nijgadh – Hetauda – Bharatpur Electrified Railway Line

Project Description

In pursuance of the Government’s objective of development of railway as an alternative mode of transport in Nepal, Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Department of Railways, carried out detail survey and design of the Simara- Tamsaria section of proposed Mechi- Mahakali railway line with design speed 160 km/hr. The cost of this section was found to be at higher side due to mitigation measures adopted while encompassing Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR) and Chitwan National Park (CNP). There were suggestions to avoid crossing of PWR and CNP due to world heritage site and preservation of endangered species. In this context Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Railways decided to seek alternative route for Simara – Tamsariya Section of Mechi –Mahakali Electrified railway Line which could be financially viable, environmental friendly and technically feasible. The alternative route has been decided to be Nijgadh – Hetauda –Bharatpur approximately 175 Km. The objectives of the study is to prepare a feasibility report for the construction of a new Electrified Railway Line linking Nijgadh – Hetauda – Bharatpur as a high speed railway system with a design speed of 250 KMPH for passenger train & 120 KMPH for freight train over standard gauge [1435mm]. The proposed new railway line is located in the terai as well as Churia hill corridor and is intended to link Nijgadh in Bara district to Bharatpur in Chitwan district. The railway alignment passes through Hetauda, the city which has a few road links to Kathmandu. The alignment shall start at approximately 13 Km south of Nijgadh linking Bardibas – Simara electrified railway line and runs along Nijgadh – Tamagadhi – Ratanpur – Dumarpur – Chisapani to reach Hetauda. The alignment runs 15-20 Km in the terai plains and uses foothill of Churia hill range up to Hetauda then again runs in the terai plains to reach Bharatpur. The proposed new railway line is expected to run mostly parallel to the East-West Highway and to meet the freight and passenger traffic demand of the trade corridor.
The railway alignments proposed for this study is approximately 136.47 kilometers with Design Speed: Passenger Train (250 KPH), Freight Train (120 KPH); Track Gauge: Standard Gauge (1,435 mm); Preliminary Design: Earth Work (30,259,028 m3), Bridge 56 Nos. (8.747 Km), Tunnel 6 Nos. (6.57 Km), Stations (15 Nos.). Total Project Cost NRs. 173.47 Billion (US$ 1,630.56 Million)

Assignment Description

The services provided for the feasibility study included carrying out all necessary field surveys works including Alignment Study, Traffic Demand Forecast, Procurement of Satellite Image of CARTOSAT-1 2.5mm Stereo Image, aerial photographs (1:25,000)/ satellite imagery, geological maps, land use maps, hazard maps and image processing and topographical map preparation including 0.5 m contours, Ortho – photo Map Preparation, Survey (Alignment, Traffic, Topographical, Hydrological, Geological and Geotechnical Study and Investigation for high speed railway designs (Earthwork, Bridge, Tunnel, Track, Station, Architecture, Signal and Telecommunication, Power Supply, Catenary), Rolling Stock Planning, Operation and Maintenance Scheme, Preliminary Cost Estimate, Financial and Economic Studies, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA & SIA) including Resettlement Plan, Institutional Capacity Studies and studies for high speed railway system designs required for the preparation and submission of the feasibility study reports.