A Chinese delegation that studied the feasibility of railways in Nepal has concluded that two rail routes—Kathmandu-Kerung and Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini—could be developed in the country.

The team led by Zheng Jian, the deputy director (Vice-Minister) of National Railway Administration of China, had arrived in the country to conduct preliminary studies on possible railroads.

The team wrapped up its five-day trip on Friday. After completing the field trips to Kerung, Pokhara and Lumbini as part of their study, the team held a meeting with the Nepali side at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) and suggested the latter to move ahead with railway related projects.

According to the Department of Railways (DoR) spokesperson Prakash Bhakta Upadhayaya, the Chinese team cleared out many technical reservations, especially geological ones. “The altitude variation between Syaprubeshi and Kerung and the gap created between Indian and Tibetan tectonic plates after the 2015 earthquake were our major concerns.