A railway line linking India to Myanmar is likely to become a reality soon with Indian railway authorities having completed a feasibility study on the project, parliament was informed Friday.z

"The establishment of the link is under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (programme). Discussions in this regard were held between the two countries here in October," Minister of State for Railways R. Velu told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) pact was signed by six countries - Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and India - Nov 10, 2000, at Vientiane to frame measures for the rapid economic development of the member nations.

State-run Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd conducted a feasibility study that suggested the building of a rail link between Jiribam to the border town of Moreh in the northeast Indian state of Manipur at a cost of Rs.29.41 billion ($649 million).

It also said that another link should be simultaneously built in Myanmar between Tamu and Segyi at a cost of Rs.13.39 billion ($296 million). The study also recommended that Myanmar should refurbish an existing railway line between Segyi and Chaungu Myohaung at a cost of Rs.2.83 billion ($62.5 million).

The study further said construction of the line in Myanmar should proceed in tandem with work on the Indian side.