Janakpurdham. Preparations for the operation of a special train service from Janakpurdham to Ayodhya, the holy pilgrimage site of India, have reached the final stage.

Preparations are underway to jointly inaugurate the special train service between the two Prime Ministers during the visit of Prime Minister of Nepal Balendra Shah to India, said Parivesh Parajuli, managing director of Nepal Railway Company.

“We are preparing to inaugurate the special train service during Prime Minister Shah’s visit to India,” Parajuli said, adding, “Discussions are underway at different stages between the railway companies, customs and security officials of Nepal and India.” Although the date of the inauguration has not been fixed, preparations are being made to inaugurate the train service during the Prime Minister’s visit to India. Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to visit India from November 20.

Parajuli said that discussions are underway regarding the necessary preparations for the operation of special train service from Janakpurdham to Ayodhya under the Ramayana Circuit. An agreement in principle has been reached to take responsibility for the security of passengers and railway passengers on the Nepali side of the railway section and the Indian security agencies on the Indian side.

A few days ago, a team of officials from the Railways, Security, Customs and Immigration of Nepal and India had inspected the Jayanagar-Janakpurdham-Kurtha railway section by a special inspection vehicle.

The operation of the railway service between Janakpurdham and Ayodhya is expected to further strengthen the religious and cultural relations between the two countries and contribute significantly to the promotion of religious tourism. Jitendra Mahaseth, former president of Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that it is believed that the movement of pilgrims and religious tourists under the Ramayana circuit will be easier once the direct rail service connects Sita’s birthplace Janakpurdham and Lord Ram’s city Ayodhya.

The operation of the special train service will help promote tourism between the religious and cultural destinations of Nepal and India and increase economic activities at the local level. At present, a regular train service is being operated from Jayanagar of India to Bijalpura of Mahottari via Janakpurdham of Nepal.