India & Nepal sign MoU in WASH sector and strengthen ties in Railways

India and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in the field of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector and waste management. 

Both countries also reviewed their existing and proposed cross-country rail projects at the 9th Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the 7th Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings held in New Delhi.

The MoU between India and Nepal on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector and waste management was signed in New Delhi on 3rd March 2025. 

The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C R Patil, and the visiting Nepali Minister of Water Supply, Pradeep Yadav, were present during the signing ceremony.

Main features of the MoU 

The MoU aims to ensure better access to clean drinking water and sanitation for their populations.

Both countries will collaborate in 

Capacity Building: The Indian experts will train the personnel of Nepal in water resource management and related fields.

Technology & Knowledge Transfer: Both countries will share their technological expertise and best practices in the field of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.

Groundwater Management: Both countries will cooperate in the monitoring, assessment, and management of groundwater resources, including quality improvement, artificial recharge, and rainwater harvesting.

India-Nepal review cooperation in Railways

India and Nepal reviewed their cooperation in the Railway sector at the 9th Project Steering Committee and the 7th Joint Working Group meetings. The meetings were held in New Delhi on 27-28 February 2025.

Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas rail route

• Currently, the railway track between Jaynagar in the Madhubani district of Bihar and Bijalpura in the Mahottari district of Nepal is operational. 
• The railway line is being extended from Bjialpura to Bardibas in Nepal.
• The project is being developed with a grant assistance of Rs 783.83 crores from the Indian government.

Jogbani-Biratnagar rail link 

• The Jogbani (in the Araria district of Bihar) - Biratnagar (Nepal) rail link was sanctioned in 2010-11.
• The broad gauge rail route consists of 18.6 km track in India and 13.15 km in Nepal. 
• A 7.4 km section of the route between Bathnaha (Bihar) and Nepal Custom Yard has been completed.
• The project is being built with a grant from the government of India.

Raxaul-Kathmandu Broad Gauge Railway Link

• India and Nepal discussed the Final Location Survey prepared by the Konkan Railways for the proposed Raxaul-Kathmandu Broad Gauge Railway Link.
• The railway line will connect Raxaul in Bihar with the Nepali capital city of Kathmandu.
• The proposed railway will have a length of 141 km, with 41km being a tunnel.

India to assist Nepal in capacity building in Railways 

• During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen technical cooperation in the railway sector.
• India will also provide logistic support to Nepal railways for the construction and operation of the railways.
• India will train the Nepali railway personnel and help build their management skills in operating railways.
• The visiting Nepalese delegation visited the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM) in Lucknow, where the Nepali railway personnel and officials will be provided training.

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