After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to build a strategic rail link between Nepal’s Kathmandu and Raxaul in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is also contemplating to start a direct bus service between the state and the Himalayan nation.
“Targeting Buddhist tourists, UPSRTC has planned to introduce direct bus services on four routes. If we can get clearance this will boost tourism of the state,” Swatantradeo Singh, Tourism Minister said here on Sunday
In 2015, during the Samajwadi Party regime, a proposal was mooted but it could not be implemented due to some technical flaw. Presently, people from the country reach the Nepal border and then after crossing it over, take another bus for their destination.
“All will depend on the committee to be set up by the state and Nepal government. Thereafter, a no objection certificate will be required from the External Affairs Ministry,” he said.
Officials of the UPSRTC told The Pioneer on Sunday that even if the procedure is expedited swiftly, then too, it will take around six months to complete the formalities and start the services.
The four routes which were identified are Gorakhpur to Kathmandu, Lucknow to Nepalganj, Anand Vihar to Nepalganj and Anand Vihar to Lumbani.
On Saturday, during a meeting between Mr Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli, it was announced that India will build a strategic rail link between Nepal’s Kathmandu and Raxaul in Bihar,