A freight train will leave Xi'an of China with goods meant for Kathmandu once a week. The first train of China Railway Express for Xi'an-Kathmandu route left the provincial capital of Shaanxi two days ago.
The train has left for Shigatse with goods ordered by different organizations and businessmen of Nepal, according to Acting Ambassador to China Sushil Lamsal. The goods will be unloaded in Shigatse and brought to Kathmandu on Trucks.
The goods will arrive in Kathmandu eight days after leaving Xi'an.
"Freight train service from Guangzhou and Lanzhou had also started earlier but stopped after some time. This is the first time that a freight train with goods meant for Nepal has left Xi'an," Lamsal told Setopati. "The businessmen themselves have started this route. They are preparing to send a train once every week for now."
Xi'an is an important point in the Silk Road and freight trains to five routes of the Middle East and Eastern Europe are currently operated from there. "They have started train service for South Asia, Kathmandu for now, from that city. Nepali businessmen have also said that goods will arrive sooner from this route despite a higher fare," he added.
Bringing a container from Xi'an to the Nepali border using this route costs 16,000 Chinese yuan.
Lamsal said whether the route will be in operation in the long term will depend on the ease the businessmen will feel. "Train service from Xi'an will provide us a new alternative as to which route will be better fro Nepal in terms of both time and money."
