Some important projects under the 'Nepal-China Trans Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity' will be launched during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to China.
"Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity" is a comprehensive connectivity project announced during the '2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation' attended by then President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
The 'Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity' including the Nepal-China cross-border railway was announced through the 23rd schedule of the 38-point joint communiqué issued after the second 'BRF' was concluded on April 26-27, 2019 in Beijing, the capital of China.
Trans Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity is a comprehensive project to connect countries through railways, roads, airways, information technology and transmission lines. During the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Prachanda, some projects will be launched under this comprehensive project.
According to the joint statement of the second 'BRF', more decisions have been taken during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal regarding the construction of the cross-border railway. During President Xi's visit to Nepal, there had been an agreement to make a feasibility study of building a cross-border railway.
The Chinese government has already announced that it will bear the entire cost of the feasibility study. The northern neighbor said so during the then Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka's visit to China in August 2022.
Accordingly, a Chinese team is coming to Nepal to make a feasibility study of the railway construction.
Another important aspect of 'Trans Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity' is road connectivity. During President Xi's visit to Nepal, some more agreements had been reached in this regard. Accordingly, during Prime Minister Prachanda's visit to China, Nepal is ready to make a proposal to make more concrete progress in that regard.
According to which, Nepal is preparing to submit a detailed proposal regarding the construction of the Kimathangka-Leguwaghat highway under the 'Koshi Economic Corridor'. Likewise, Nepal will put forward a detailed proposal regarding the construction of any section of the highway in either the 'Gandaki Economic Corridor' or the 'Karnali Economic Corridor'.
Among these, China has already given a promise to support the construction of the Kimathangka-Leguwaghat road section under the Koshi Economic Corridor during President Xi's visit to Nepal. In the joint statement issued during the visit, it is mentioned that Nepal has requested in this regard and China has noted this matter.
"China is already ready to assist in the construction of the Kimathangka-Leguwaghat road section under the Koshi Corridor. After Nepal submits a detailed proposal for assistance, the related process will begin," sources have said, "The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport is doing the homework."
Among the Nepal-China borders, the road passing through Kimathangka under the Koshi Corridor is considered to be a road section that cannot be affected by snowfall and the means of transportation will be open for twelve months. That's why according to Nepal's proposal, China is also positive for the construction of that road section.
According to sources, apart from the Kimathangka-Leguwaghat road section under the Koshi Corridor in the eastern region, China may also promise to help in the construction of a road section under the Gandaki Corridor and Karnali Corridor in the western region.
"There is a possibility that Nepal will make a proposal regarding the construction of a road section under one of the two economic corridors in the western region and China will express its commitment to help in the construction of that road section," said the source, "This time, there is an agreement that a road section under the Karnali Corridor will be built with Chinese assistance.”
