JANAKPURDHAM: The railway engines and parts belonging to Nepal Railways are being neglected and are at risk of theft due to the indifference of authorities. The steam and diesel engines that used to run on the Bijalpura-Jayanagar route are rusting quickly as they have been left outdoors. These engines became obsolete after the government decided to upgrade the railway line to a broad gauge and procured two new trains for the sector.
Though Nepal Railways has deputed two employees, Sailun Kawari and Uttimlal Pandit, to oversee the old engines, carriages, and parts at Khajuri in Dhanusha, the engines are rusting fast.
Nepal Railways operated steam engines on the route until the early 1990s. In 1994, it received a diesel engine and 18 carriages from India to operate on the route. Local stakeholders have suggested that the steam engines be preserved in a museum to represent an important part of Nepal’s railway history.
Local stakeholders have suggested that the steam engines be preserved in a museum to represent an important part of Nepal’s railway history. While government officials have expressed support for this idea, no concrete steps have been taken.
Local stakeholders have suggested that the steam engines be preserved in a museum to represent an important part of Nepal’s railway history.
Khajuri can be developed into a tourist destination by transforming the area into a museum, said Amadesh Kamat, a local journalist. “People’s representatives from the area should take needful initiatives to make it happen,” he added.
Nepal Railways has over 10 bighas of land in Khajuri. Locals of the area said the land can be utilized to build a railway museum.
“If these engines are parts are moved elsewhere, they will be no more than scrap. Therefore, we have been asking the concerned government officials to transform the area into a museum,” Hem Bahadur Katwal, a staffer of Nepal Railways, said.
Niranjan Jha, general manager of Nepal Railways, said they were serious about transforming the area into a museum. “Feasibility study has already been completed. We are making needful preparations,” he added.
Jha added that the government has allocated Rs 20 million for the purpose.
