Nepali Economics

 

By Prajwal Shrestha

 

On 18 September 2020, Nepal received two sets of trains procured from India paying around one billion Nepali rupees. They are parked at the Inarua Station in the Janakpur-Jayanagar route for one year. The tents used to cover the train have already been torn away, yet, the government is unable to operate the trains for passenger service. 

Already, there is the Railway Department but the Department, by showing absence of necessary laws and staffer recruitment problem, has parked the train. Experts say that the parts, due to the sun and rains, have already been jammed and overhaul maintenance is needed to bring into operation the trains. 

Why the government purchased the trains when it was not prepared to operate them, is a burning question. Along with the procurement deal, the government should have started preparation for the operation of the trains. The Indians have already constructed the railway track from Jayanagar to Janakpur. Even after the completion of the major part of the railway track, the Nepal government is unable to operate the trains, which is very much shameful. 

Even during the Rana rules, the Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway was in operation and also during the Panchayat days, we had seen the trains were in operation in this route.

Also, from Raxaul to Amlekhgunj, another Nepal Government Railway was in operation since the Rana days. Unfortunately, the present democratic governments have been failed to operate trains. This proves that the present-day rulers are inefficient than the Rana and Panchayat rulers.  

We are talking about the East-West railway service, Birgunj-Kathmandu railway service, Kathmandu-Kerung railway service but we are unable to run trains on the already constructed railway track, which is a big jock. The construction of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway track is a difficult task and the operation cost will also be very high. From the present attitude of the government, the operation of railway service in this route seems impossible. 

Brand new Nepal Airlines aircraft grounded at TIA for years.

Nepal is a landlocked country and air service for a landlocked country is strategically important. We should not forget that air service is the lifeline of Nepal. Especially during the economic blockade, the Nepal government operating airlines was also used for emergency supplies including petroleum products and medicines from the third countries. Along with the people’s movement started in 1989, the Indians imposed an economic blockade for more than one and a half years. During that time, Royal Nepal Airlines had airlifted petroleum products and emergency medicines from Dhaka and Singapore. In this regard, at any cost, the government should smoothly operate the national flag carrier. During the Panchayat days, the Royal Nepal Airlines was known to be a profit-making government undertaking and the service provided by the Airlines was excellent. 

Due to the corrupt intention of the political leaders, the country’s oldest national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, is facing a heavy loss. Six brand new Chinese aircraft are grounded for years. Two narrow-body and two wide-body aircraft are in operation, yet, the Airlines is unable to earn profit.

Nepal Airlines has become the victim of the present corrupt system. We need an honest leader to run the country and a sustainable system to function the country properly. Today, we lack honest leaders and a good system, from which, the nation is suffering a lot. Moreover, the nation is heading towards bankruptcy.