A team of the China Railway Survey and Design Group (CRSDG) has been deployed to Nepal to conduct surveys and other detailed study work for a new railway line to China. The planned line is to run between Kathmandu and Kyirong in Southern Tibet. A project office has now been set up in Kathmandu, and staff are also at work in other locations including Rasuwa and Nuwakot. A detailed feasibility report is expected to take 42 months to complete. The initial survey is scheduled to take 12 months, with more extensive surveying and mapping work taking 18 months to complete. A further 12 months will be needed to finalise and submit the engineering study report. The cost of building the new line is expected to be high, given the difficult terrain to be traversed and the many bridges and tunnels required, which represent around 98% of project work.
