Kathmandu – Rail travel has long been connected with the lives, literature, music, and aspirations of Nepalis. However, except for the passenger rail service in Janakpur, rail-based transportation remains largely unavailable, leaving many people’s dream of travelling by train unfulfilled.
Now, plans to introduce a metro rail system in the Kathmandu Valley are gaining renewed momentum. If ongoing procedural work continues as planned, a metro rail service spanning approximately 27.5 kilometres could be operational within the next few years. The project, led by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, is being implemented in phases.
The National Planning Commission recently approved a multi-year contract process to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the metro rail construction. The Ministry of Finance has also granted approval for consultant selection and DPR preparation.
The Railway, Metro Rail, and Monorail Development Project has already called for expressions of interest from international consulting firms to prepare the DPR for the proposed 27.5-kilometre route. Proposals are expected to be submitted soon, and the selected company will be given around 18 months to complete the report.
However, the project may not proceed if the DPR is found unsatisfactory or if significant technical challenges arise. The DPR will assess not only geographical feasibility but also the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the project.
Discussions about a metro rail system in the Kathmandu Valley are not new. A joint study by Nepali and Korean companies in 2011 had recommended the feasibility of metro rail services on five routes within the valley, including Ring Road, Ratnapark–Maharajgunj, and Kalimati–New Baneshwor–Sinamangal corridors.
Despite these proposals, the project had not progressed due to high costs, technical difficulties, and potential impacts on cultural heritage sites. Although budgets have been allocated annually for DPR preparation, delays in approval have prevented their effective use.
This time, with an approved budget of around NPR 2.8 billion, the project has regained momentum. Initial estimates suggest that construction of the metro system will require investment worth trillions of rupees.
The government has allocated approximately NPR 2.5 billion to the Railway Board for the upcoming fiscal year and has integrated the Railway Department and related agencies into the board.
If all processes move forward smoothly, the long-awaited dream of a metro rail system in Kathmandu Valley could become a reality in the coming years.
