KATHMANDU: The government has initiated the process to develop a 27.5 km rail-based transit system in Kathmandu Valley with its own investment.
The Department of Rail, Metro Rail and Monorail Development has invited international consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed corridor.
According to the department, the planned route will cover key inner-city areas along a semi-ring alignment. The proposed corridor includes Narayangopal Chowk – Chabahil – Koteshwor – Satdobato – Ratnapark – Narayangopal.
Unlike earlier proposals, the project will not rely on foreign loans or external financial support. It will be developed through domestic funding.
Interested international consulting firms must submit their applications online by June 15, 2026 (12:00 PM). If the deadline falls on a public holiday, the next working day will be considered valid.
The government has set strict eligibility criteria to ensure only qualified and experienced firms are selected. Evaluation will be based on key personnel (50%), experience (40%), and capacity (10%).
Applicants must secure at least 70 points to be shortlisted. Only shortlisted firms will be invited to submit technical and financial proposals.
The selected consultant will conduct a detailed feasibility study. It will recommend the most suitable system for Kathmandu, including rail, metro rail, or monorail. The study will also assess technical, financial, and environmental aspects.
The government has allocated over Rs 323.3 million for the DPR preparation under this multi-year infrastructure project.
Although metro rail projects have been announced in Kathmandu for years, progress has remained limited. A proposal presented during the Investment Summit in April 2019 planned a 77.28 km metro network under the BOT model, with an estimated cost of Rs 331.92 billion. However, the project has not moved forward since then.
