The project started in 2008, but due to various economic, environmental and coordination challenges it was delayed until March 2020.

[6] Lack of coordination of inter-governmental bodies and conflicts between the locals and the construction company for land acquisition and deforestation stimulated controversy.

The proposed route passes through Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage site.

[8][5] The senior divisional engineer at the Department of Railways, Aman Chitrakar[9] informed that the tracks will be laid after the construction of the track-bed from Kakadbhitta, Jhapa to Gaddachauki, Kanchanpur.

The Government of Nepal is allocating Rs 4 billion annually for the expansion of the railway.