Nepal and India Finalize Janakpur-Ayodhya Railway Service

Nepal and India are finalizing preparations to launch a railway service connecting Janakpur, Nepal, and Ayodhya, India. The 464-kilometer route is designed to facilitate pilgrimage between the birthplaces of Sita and Ram as part of the Ramayana Circuit.

Balendra Shah, the Prime Minister of Nepal, is expected to virtually flag off the service alongside the Indian Prime Minister later this month during a scheduled visit to India. The service will initially consist of one round trip per week, departing Janakpurdham for Ayodhya and returning the following day.

Indian Railways will manage the train's operations, facilities, and fares until Nepal acquires the necessary resources to take over. Officials from both nations have already completed trial runs from Jaynagar to Kurtha and reached an in-principle agreement regarding customs, immigration, and security responsibilities at the border.