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Kathmandu, January 15

The Railway Bill recently approved by the National Assembly for clause-wise deliberation stipulates a provision of entering into agreement with one or more foreign countries for cross-border rail service.

According to Section 15 of the bill, the Government of Nepal may use the land of one or more foreign countries for expanding railway service beyond the national border on the basis of reciprocity.

“The Government of Nepal shall allow other countries to use its land to operate railway service if the concerned countries sign an agreement with Nepal to let it use their soil for the same purpose,” it reads. The agreement to be concluded with other countries shall determine the terms and conditions and procedures of operation of railway service in their concerned countries.

“Existing law of Nepal shall prevail in the case of operation of railway service by a foreign country inside Nepal,” it reads.

According to the bill, the government may create a dedicated security unit for railway service at the behest of an 11-member Nepal Railway Board headed by the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. The board shall be responsible to develop and expand railway service while making it secure, regular, reliable and effective.

Central office of the board will be situated in Kathmandu valley and the office may establish branch offices in any part of the country. “The board shall function as an autonomous body. Functions, duties and power of the board are to approve its annual budget, plan and program; carry out monitoring and evaluation of programs operated by it; regulate activities related to railway service; formulate bylaws and develop and implement directives, procedures and standards,”reads the bill.

There shall be a nine-member executive committee led by sec

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