Cargo Train From China To Kathmandu
May 25, 2020 | Investopaper
A freight train from the capital of China’s northwestern province of Shangsi to Kathmandu has been released. According to Chinese media, cargo service has been started for Nepal from Xi’an.
According to Xinhua, a train carrying cargo carrying PVC pipes, grouting pipes, clothes, shoes and printers was released from Xi’an on Friday. The train will reach Sigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The truck will bring goods from Sigatse to Kathmandu via Kerung and Tatopani. Xinhua said it would take eight days.
China Railway Xi’an Bureau Group Corporation Limited and China Railway Container Transportation Limited have jointly coordinated the cargo train.
According to Chinese media, this is the first time that a freight train has been operated from Shanxi province to South Asia. Xi’an West Railway Station of Xi’an Bureau Group Corporation Limited of Chinese Railways has stated that it has started a new destination station to reach Kathmandu.
While Nepal’s southern neighbor India is embroiled in a border dispute, its northern neighbor China has started cargo train service for Nepal.
The cargo rail service launched by China has been portrayed as a Belt and Road Initiative put forward by China.
When India imposed an undeclared blockade on Nepal five years ago, the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had decided to open the border with China.
Nepal had signed a trans-Himalayan trade and transit agreement last year to trade with third countries through China’s sea and land ports in an effort to reduce its dependence on India for international trade with China. The agreement is now being implemented in practice.
