There are 3 means of transportation in the world: (Air, Water and Land transport). But the main means of transportation used in Nepal are land and air transport because of the landlocked country.
1. Land of Surface Transport
The present condition of land or surface transportation in Nepal is as follows:
a) Road transport:
Road transport is the most important transport in Nepal. It is more reliable and cheapest transportation for people than other means of transportation. But many of the existing roads are not in good condition due to the lack of proper repair and maintenance. The total networks have access to 71 districts (districts excluding Manang, Dolpa, Humla, Mugu) by the end of the 11th plan. The 12th year three interim plan has set the target to connect all 75 districts with the road network. The total length of roadways available in the country accounted for 20,138 km in the year 2067 B.S.
The current situation in 2067 (in km)
| Types of road | Length in km | Percentage |
| Stack Topped Road | 6,304 | 31.3 |
| Gravel Road | 4,832 | 24 |
| Fair weather | 9,002 | 44.7 |
| Total | 20,138 | 100 |
b) Railway:
In Nepal, there are three railways transport in which two are not in operation. The first railway line in Nepal was constructed in 1929A.D. between Aamelekgunj to Raxaul. This was 48 km long but now it is out of operation. Another railway line was constructed during the phase of construction of the Koshi project to transport stone and sand for the project. The line closed its business operation soon after the completion of the Koshi project. Then, Janakpur to Jai Nagar railway was constructed in 1936 A.D. which is 52 km long. Now it is only railway line operated in Nepal.
c) Ropeway:
The transportation system operated electric cable is called ropeway. The first ropeway was completed in 1927A.D about 22.4 km length from Dhursing to Matatirtha. Later it was linked Dhursing to Matatirtha to Teku which was closed in 1964. In the same year, Kathmandu to Hetauda begun. It covered a length of 12 km. Now, this ropeway system is not in operation. The kursing ghat to Manakamana ropeway service was started service in 1998. It covers a distance of 31 km. it is operated through the private sector.
d) Trolley bus service:
Bus service operated by electric power is called trolley bus service. The trolley bus was established in 2032 B.S. under Chinese assistance. Its distance ship was 13 km from Tripureshwor of Kathmandu to Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur. Later trolley bus service was only from Tripureshwor to Koteshwor. But at present, it is not more in operation due to some difficulties.
2. Air Transport
Air transport is the fastest, easiest and most reliable means of transportation. The air service was started in Nepal in 1953 A.D. between Kathmandu and Patna with the establishment of RNAC in 1958 A.D. The air transportation system has been developing in the development of the country. The number of airfield including small and large has reached 54 which consist one international and 5 are in construction.
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