Locals elated by extension of Janakpur-Jaynagar railway to Bijalpura in Mahottari

MAHENDRANAGAR, DHANUSHA: Jogi Sah (55) of Loharpatti Municipality-4 in Mahottari district had never imagined that the railway service would resume in the area during his lifetime. His happiness has no bounds after the resumption of the rail service in his area after 21 years. "I feel it is like a dream today. I can't express my happiness today as I reached Janakpur from Bhangaha by rail," Sah shared. [caption id="attachment_39412" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Spectators are seen around a train at Bhangaha, Bijalpura station in Bardibas Municipality of Mahottari district, on July 16, 2023. The railway service in operation from Jaynagar in India to Janakpurdham in Nepal has been extended to Bhangaha, Bijalpura area. Photo: RSS[/caption] The locals in the area used to travel up to Jaynagar in the same train until 21 years ago but the rail service was disrupted after the Bigihi Bridge collapsed and the railway line was wrecked.  "We suffered a lot since then. It took hours to reach Janakpur. Now, the distance can be travelled in just 30 minutes. So, the people here are excited," Sah shared his happiness. Likewise, other people in the community shared their excitement after the resumption of the rail service there. [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="39414,39411"] Thousands of locals reached Bhangaha, Bijalpura area of Bardibas Municipality on Monday as Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala flagged off the train that left for Jaynagar in India. [caption id="attachment_39413" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala addressing the inception programme in Bhangaha, Bijalpura in Bardibas Municipality of Mahottari district, on Monday, July 16, 2023. Photo: RSS[/caption] Earlier, addressing the inception programme, Minister Jwala said that the distance of the railway will be 52.3km which is 17.3 km more than the past one. "The train being operated on this track was made possible with grant assistance of Rs 12 billion from India. For this, I extend gratitude to the Indian government and the people there," Minister Jwala said. He reminded Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's recent visit to India where the railway service from Kurtha to Bijalpura was inaugurated jointly. The cargo service will be operated soon, according to Minister Jwala. The transport Minister termed it a 'breakthrough', saying that broad gauge service has begun now, replacing the narrow gauge. Similarly, General Manager of Nepal Railway Company, Niranjan Jha, informed that the railway service was extended in the second phase to and from Kurtha and Bijalpura. Once the dispute on land acquisition and compensation is resolved on time, the third phase of railway extension will begin to link the service to Bardibas, he added. Similarly, Deputy Chief Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Prasanna Shrivastava, said the railway service has been extended as per the agreement made during PM Dahal’s visit to India. It will help further bolster the relations between Nepal and India. The railway service has been in operation from Janakpurdham in Dhanusha to Kurtha in India for 15 months. Now, with the extension of the service, people enjoy rail service three times a day, according to General Manager Jha. READ ALSO:

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