Construction project is believed to be under consideration and is part of proposed extension to link China with Nepal by rail

The proposal is the latest in a series of ambitious rail schemes Beijing is reportedly examining. It comes amid scepticism about whether some of the projects will ever get off the ground and at a time of a growing Chinese presence in Nepal, which has caused some concern in rival regional power India.

Mount Everest at sunrise. According to state media, China is in talks with Nepal to build a rail tunnel under the mountain.
Mount Everest at sunrise. According to state media, China is in talks with Nepal to build a rail tunnel under the mountain. © Kristy Durbridge/Alamy

The project is expected to be completed by 2020, the newspaper cited a Tibetan official as saying. Extending the line would potentially forge a crucial link between China and the huge markets of India. It was raised by the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, on a visit to Kathmandu in December, according to Nepalese reports.

“The line will probably have to go through Qomolangma so that workers may have to dig some very long tunnels,” railway expert Wang Mengshu told the China Daily, referring to Mount Everest by its Tibetan name. Owing to the challenging Himalayan terrain, with its remarkable changes in elevation, trains on any line to Kathmandu would probably have a maximum speed of 75mph (120km/h), he added.

A map of proposed Chinese high-speed rail lines in Asia. It is unclear to what extent China has consulted with countries whose consent would be required or if the lines were to be built.
A map of proposed Chinese high-speed rail lines in Asia. It is unclear to what extent China has consulted with countries whose consent would be required or if the lines were to be built.