By IANS
Kathmandu : Almost two decades after authorising general sales agents (GSA) in Europe, Indian Railways has finally cleared security checks and other red tape to appoint its first GSA in Nepal.
In a move that will facilitate travel for Nepalis as well as Indians and other expatriates in Nepal, Orient Paradise Tours and Travels has been appointed the Nepal GSA of Indian Railways and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation.
The travel agency is owned by Nepal's high-profile K.L. Dugar Group, leaders in the commodities market with an annual turnover of over Nepali Rs.5 billion.
"This will cement people to people ties in India and Nepal," Orient CEO Shashi Sharma told IANS. "From the financial angle, it is not a lucrative deal but we are regarding it as part of our corporate social responsibility."
Earlier, Nepalis wanting to travel by train in India had to go to the Indian border towns of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh or Raxaul in Bihar to buy tickets.
Often they were forced to pose as Indian citizens, a move that later prevented them from claiming compensation or lodging police complaints if accidents or thefts occurred while travelling.
Orient will also issue Indrail passes, that allows the holder to travel anywhere for periods ranging from half a day to four days. The Indrail passes have a one-year validity.
Talks had been going on between Indian Railways and the Nepali company for almost eight years. Security procedures and red tape made it a lengthy process.
After the Indian railway ministry and railway board cleared the deal, Orient signed an agreement with Indian Railways in March.
"We obtained the GSAship for Indrail about one-and-a-half years ago," Sharma said. "However, the passes are more expensive than point to point tickets and are not suitable for the average citizen. The new dealership will facilitate rail travel."
Nepal has a limited rail service in the Terai plains in the south. Talks are on to link it with the Indian rail network.
The two neighbouring countries had also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) about three years ago for direct bus services between major cities in the two countries, an agreement that would immensely benefit low and middle-class travellers from both countries.
However, it has been held up due to political reasons.