Nepal on Friday started the trial of its&nbsp;first broad-gauge railway service after&nbsp;procuring railway engines, coaches from India.

After reamining halted for a period of six years because of a lack of upgrade,&nbsp;the previous narrow-gauge, now a broad gauge is expected to come into operation after Dashain-Tihar.

With its operation, the first trans-border railway connection between India and Nepal&nbsp;will be established&nbsp;again.

The Konkan Railways on Friday said that it delivered two DEMU train sets, designed and developed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, to Nepal Railways.

"Konkan Railway is happy and privileged to deliver two modern DEMU train sets to Nepal Railways today," it said in a statement. 
 
The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd had signed a contract agreement on May 10 last year with Nepal`s Department of Railways for supply of two 1600HP DEMU train sets.

Nepal's railway department has procured the rail engines and coaches from Kokan India for 84 crore 65 lakh&nbsp;Nepali rupees&nbsp;operated using diesel and electricity, each set has 5 bogies (coaches). Out of them one is an AC coach while three are general bogies.

One of the set's engine has been designed with the capacity to accommodate passengers. Combining the 5 bogies, it bears the capacity of 1300&nbsp;passengers at a time.

It would revive the earlier Janakpur-Jaynagar railways connection between India and Nepal. Further work of extending railways track from Kurtha to Bijalapur of Mahottari measuring 17 Kilometers is underway.

The 34-km-long Jayanagar-Kurtha Railway Link has been built by IRCON with a financial grant from the Indian government under the India-Nepal Development Partnership programme.

The railway is likely to come into operation after Dashain and Tihar festivals.

Nepal on Friday started the trial of its first broad-gauge railway service after procuring railway engines, coaches from India. After reamining halted for a period of six years because of a lack of upgrade, the previous narrow-gauge, now a broad gauge is expected to come into operation after Dashain-Tihar.

Nepal on Friday started the trial of its first broad-gauge railway service after procuring railway engines, coaches from India. After reamining halted for a period of six years because of a lack of upgrade, the previous narrow-gauge, now a broad gauge is expected to come into operation after Dashain-Tihar. With its operation, the first trans-border railway connection between India and Nepal will be established again. The Konkan Railways on Friday said that it delivered two DEMU train sets, designed and developed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, to Nepal Railways. "Konkan Railway is happy and privileged to deliver two modern DEMU train sets to Nepal Railways today," it said in a statement. The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd had signed a contract agreement on May 10 last year with Nepal`s Department of Railways for supply of two 1600HP DEMU train sets. Nepal's railway department has procured the rail engines and coaches from Kokan India for 84 crore 65 lakh Nepali rupees operated using diesel and electricity, each set has 5 bogies (coaches). Out of them one is an AC coach while three are general bogies. One of the set's engine has been designed with the capacity to accommodate passengers. Combining the 5 bogies, it bears the capacity of 1300 passengers at a time. It would revive the earlier Janakpur-Jaynagar railways connection between India and Nepal. Further work of extending railways track from Kurtha to Bijalapur of Mahottari measuring 17 Kilometers is underway. The 34-km-long Jayanagar-Kurtha Railway Link has been built by IRCON with a financial grant from the Indian government under the India-Nepal Development Partnership programme. The railway is likely to come into operation after Dashain and Tihar festivals.

India supplies engines, coaches as Nepal begins first broad-gauge railway service trials

The Nepal government has decided to resume regular international flights from September 1 to bring back its stranded nationals from countries where the RT-PCR tests are easily available, a senior official said on Saturday.

Under the decision, which was taken during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Nepal government is considering bringing in 500 Nepalese nationals back home per day.

The move comes six month after the Nepal government had suspended its international air services to contain the spread of the coronavirus that has so far infected over 31,000 people in the country.

"The Nepal government has decided to resume regular international flights starting from September 1 with a view to bringing home stranded Nepalese nationals in various countries around the world," Yuvaraj Khatiwada, the Minister for Communication and Information Technology and also the government's spokesperson, said.

He said the international flights would be to the countries where RT-PCR test facility is easily accessible.

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is a testing method to identify people afflicted with COVID-19. 
The schedules for the flights will be prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, he said.

Khathiwada said those desirous to fly back home must produce a RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours.

According to the directions issued by the government, all Nepali nationals returning home from international flights must stay in hotel quarantine in Kathmandu for seven days as soon as they arrive.

"Those returning home through the open border points with India are also required to find a hotel nearby the border point for the week-long quarantine," Khatiwada said citing the Cabinet decision.

While the Nepal government has allowed the international flights, it has still suspended the domestic flight services as there are prohibitory orders in Kathmandu Valley and dozens of other districts, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Meanwhile, Nepal on Saturday reported 634 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of cases to 31,117. 
The total number of deaths due to coronavirus stands at 146, the health ministry said.

The Nepal government has decided to resume regular international flights from September 1 to bring back its stranded nationals from countries where the RT-PCR tests are easily available, a senior official said on Saturday.

The Nepal government has decided to resume regular international flights from September 1 to bring back its stranded nationals from countries where the RT-PCR tests are easily available, a senior official said on Saturday. Under the decision, which was taken during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the Nepal government is considering bringing in 500 Nepalese nationals back home per day. The move comes six month after the Nepal government had suspended its international air services to contain the spread of the coronavirus that has so far infected over 31,000 people in the country. "The Nepal government has decided to resume regular international flights starting from September 1 with a view to bringing home stranded Nepalese nationals in various countries around the world," Yuvaraj Khatiwada, the Minister for Communication and Information Technology and also the government's spokesperson, said. He said the international flights would be to the countries where RT-PCR test facility is easily accessible. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is a testing method to identify people afflicted with COVID-19. The schedules for the flights will be prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, he said. Khathiwada said those desirous to fly back home must produce a RT-PCR test report conducted within 72 hours. According to the directions issued by the government, all Nepali nationals returning home from international flights must stay in hotel quarantine in Kathmandu for seven days as soon as they arrive. "Those returning home through the open border points with India are also required to find a hotel nearby the border point for the week-long quarantine," Khatiwada said citing the Cabinet decision. While the Nepal government has allowed the international flights, it has still suspended the domestic flight services as there are prohibitory orders in Kathmandu Valley and dozens of other districts, The Kathmandu Post reported. Meanwhile, Nepal on Saturday reported 634 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of cases to 31,117. The total number of deaths due to coronavirus stands at 146, the health ministry said.

Nepal to resume international flights from September 1 to bring back stranded nationals

Nepal may&nbsp;see 28.7 percent contraction in remittance in 2020, highest in the developing Asia&nbsp;amid a COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated economies, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

On the&nbsp;basis of the baseline data of 2018, this translates to an estimated loss of $2.32 billion as&nbsp;Nepali migrant workers sent home $8.29 billion in that year, according to the World Bank data.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-kp-oli-prachanda-meeting-postponed-for-a-day-318442" hreflang="en">Nepal: KP Oli-Prachanda meeting postponed for a day</a>

The report, called ‘Covid-19 Impact on International Migration, Remittances, and Recipient Households in Developing Asia’ was released this week stated ''the coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic is expected to hit remittances hard in Asia and the Pacific".

The countries facing "more severe" effects are those where the share of remittances to the gross domestic product and per capita remittances are high, such as Tonga, Samoa and other Pacific nations, it said.&nbsp;Nepal’s share of remittance to the country’s GDP stands at 27 percent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-outbreak-should-not-be-used-to-target-government-nepal-pm-oli-318156" hreflang="en">Coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target government: Nepal PM Oli</a>

According to&nbsp;Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for Nepal’s central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank&nbsp;“Obviously, the situation is uncertain. The remittance income will not see a contraction by one-fourth as reported.”

The Manila-based lender said&nbsp;“Without continuous remittance flows, remittance-dependent households can fall into poverty or have difficulty meeting basic essential needs, as well as access to education and health services. Loan repayment is another challenge for remittance recipient households''.

"The worst-case scenario assumes that the domestic outbreak control and resumption of economic activities take a year's time," it said. "Uncertainty looms about the timing of full recovery, even as lockdowns are lifted."

Developing Asia, a group of 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, is forecast to clock up its weakest growth in nearly six decades this year, the lender said in its Asian Development Outlook report issued in June.

Nepal may see 28.7 percent contraction in remittance in 2020, highest in the developing Asia amid a COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated economies, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Nepal may see 28.7 percent contraction in remittance in 2020, highest in the developing Asia amid a COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated economies, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). On the basis of the baseline data of 2018, this translates to an estimated loss of $2.32 billion as Nepali migrant workers sent home $8.29 billion in that year, according to the World Bank data. Also read: Nepal: KP Oli-Prachanda meeting postponed for a day The report, called ‘Covid-19 Impact on International Migration, Remittances, and Recipient Households in Developing Asia’ was released this week stated ''the coronavirus pandemic is expected to hit remittances hard in Asia and the Pacific". The countries facing "more severe" effects are those where the share of remittances to the gross domestic product and per capita remittances are high, such as Tonga, Samoa and other Pacific nations, it said. Nepal’s share of remittance to the country’s GDP stands at 27 percent. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak should not be used to target government: Nepal PM Oli According to Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for Nepal’s central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank “Obviously, the situation is uncertain. The remittance income will not see a contraction by one-fourth as reported.” The Manila-based lender said “Without continuous remittance flows, remittance-dependent households can fall into poverty or have difficulty meeting basic essential needs, as well as access to education and health services. Loan repayment is another challenge for remittance recipient households''. "The worst-case scenario assumes that the domestic outbreak control and resumption of economic activities take a year's time," it said. "Uncertainty looms about the timing of full recovery, even as lockdowns are lifted." Developing Asia, a group of 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, is forecast to clock up its weakest growth in nearly six decades this year, the lender said in its Asian Development Outlook report issued in June.

COVID-19: Nepal may see remittance contraction of 28.7% in 2020, says ADB

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died&nbsp;after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal.

Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead.

"All eight were airlifted and brought to hospital in Kathmandu. A doctor from the Indian mission was also immediately sent to the concerned hospital to check on the welfare of patients and to provide necessary assistance," the Indian Embassy stated. "We have now been informed that all eight patients did not survive," they added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-retains-top-spot-in-sdg-index-bihar-ranks-last-niti-aayog-271251">Kerala retains top spot in SDG Index, Bihar ranks last: NITI Aayog</a>

The victims were identified as Praveen Krishnan Nair, Saranya Sasi, Sreebhadra Praveen, Aarcha Praveen, Abhinav Saranya Nair, Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and Vyshnav Ranjith.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed "deep grief" over the incident, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. On the basis of the directions given by the Chief Minister, NORKA (Non Resident Keralite Affairs) officials have got in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

The bodies are expected to be brought to the state tomorrow after post-mortem, the statement added.

The deceased - two couples and four children - were part of a group of 15 people travelling from Kerala to Pokhara, a popular mountainous tourist destination.

They were on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman in Makawanpur district on Monday night. According to the manager at the resort, the guests stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater to keep themselves warm.

Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and remaining others in another room, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside.

The Indian mission has assured all necessary assistance to the family members of the victims.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal. Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead.

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal. Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead. "All eight were airlifted and brought to hospital in Kathmandu. A doctor from the Indian mission was also immediately sent to the concerned hospital to check on the welfare of patients and to provide necessary assistance," the Indian Embassy stated. "We have now been informed that all eight patients did not survive," they added. Also Read: Kerala retains top spot in SDG Index, Bihar ranks last: NITI Aayog The victims were identified as Praveen Krishnan Nair, Saranya Sasi, Sreebhadra Praveen, Aarcha Praveen, Abhinav Saranya Nair, Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and Vyshnav Ranjith. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed "deep grief" over the incident, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. On the basis of the directions given by the Chief Minister, NORKA (Non Resident Keralite Affairs) officials have got in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal. The bodies are expected to be brought to the state tomorrow after post-mortem, the statement added. The deceased - two couples and four children - were part of a group of 15 people travelling from Kerala to Pokhara, a popular mountainous tourist destination. They were on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman in Makawanpur district on Monday night. According to the manager at the resort, the guests stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater to keep themselves warm. Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and remaining others in another room, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside. The Indian mission has assured all necessary assistance to the family members of the victims. (With inputs from agencies)

Kerala CM expresses 'deep grief' after 8 Indians die due to possible gas leak in Nepal

Nepal on Thursday expressed concern over recent development in the middle eastern region which hosts about a million of its citizens. 
 
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has released a statement expressing concern over the recent development in West Asia after Iranian General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-missile-attack-news-solemanis-killing-was-american-justice-says-trump-at-campaign-rally-in-ohio-273302">Qasem Soleimani</a> was killed in a US drone strike near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-calls-for-end-to-hostilities-with-us-in-call-to-irans-rouhani-273248">Baghdad International Airport</a>. 
 
Killing of the Iranian General on Friday in the drone strike last week in Iraq escalated tensions between Iran and the United States. 
 
Iran had launched strikes against Iraqi bases where US troops are stationed on Wednesday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ejaz-lakdawala-a-former-member-of-dawood-ibrahims-gang-arrested-in-patna-by-mumbai-police-273266">Kathmandu</a> has asked parties in the region to exercise restraints from taking measures and actions that contribute to the further escalation of tensions. 
 
"The Government of Nepal is following with serious concern the recent developments in the West Asian region. The region hosts a large number of Nepali migrant workers and therefore security and safety of our people in the region become a matter of utmost priority for Nepal," the release from Foreign Ministry states. 
 
"We call upon all sides to exercise restraints from taking measures and actions that contribute to the escalation of tension and endanger peace and stability in the region. It has been a principled position of Nepal that all disputes and differences must be resolved through peaceful means," the release further adds. 
 
The MoFA on Thursday also held a separate meeting with stakeholders and officials from various concerning ministry and discussed measures to be adopted if the condition worsens. It has decided to form an Inbound Coordination Committee to watch on the condition there and take actions as needed for the security of the Nepali migrant workers.

Nepal on Thursday expressed concern over recent development in the middle eastern region which hosts about a million of its citizens. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has released a statement expressing concern over the recent development in West Asia after Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport.

Nepal on Thursday expressed concern over recent development in the middle eastern region which hosts about a million of its citizens. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has released a statement expressing concern over the recent development in West Asia after Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport. Killing of the Iranian General on Friday in the drone strike last week in Iraq escalated tensions between Iran and the United States. Iran had launched strikes against Iraqi bases where US troops are stationed on Wednesday. Kathmandu has asked parties in the region to exercise restraints from taking measures and actions that contribute to the further escalation of tensions. "The Government of Nepal is following with serious concern the recent developments in the West Asian region. The region hosts a large number of Nepali migrant workers and therefore security and safety of our people in the region become a matter of utmost priority for Nepal," the release from Foreign Ministry states. "We call upon all sides to exercise restraints from taking measures and actions that contribute to the escalation of tension and endanger peace and stability in the region. It has been a principled position of Nepal that all disputes and differences must be resolved through peaceful means," the release further adds. The MoFA on Thursday also held a separate meeting with stakeholders and officials from various concerning ministry and discussed measures to be adopted if the condition worsens. It has decided to form an Inbound Coordination Committee to watch on the condition there and take actions as needed for the security of the Nepali migrant workers.

Nepal concerned over recent development in Middle East after Soleimani's killing