GIS-based Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Optimal Route Selection for China-India Railway through Nepal

초록

Transportation plays a vital role in sustainable development, and moreover, bulk transportation provides cost effective movement of goods and human beings with less environmental issues. Nepal is a developing country with increasing urbanization and transportation demands. The growing interest of China to connect with Southeast Asia through Nepal has led to ambitious project proposal of Rasuwa Gadhi to Birgunj Railways, which is the shortest route from China to India. Lack of updated geospatial data has lead the concerned authorities in Nepal to be dependent on analysis and proposals from donor nations. Taking such considerations, based on GIS and free data, this study explores optimal routes to connect cites using slope and land cover. Based on reclassified slope, two shortest optimal routes were found. One passing through Baireni in Dhading and another through Kathmandu towards Birgunj with length of around 172 Kilometers. The study shows that available open source data can be used of preliminary feasibility studies and yet shows limitations for detailed economy based planning. Development and use of high resolution updated geospatial data is of high necessity for Nepal to become self-sustained in planning of development works.

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