The first-ever rail cargo service between Kolkata Port and Biratnagar, Nepal, has commenced, marking a major milestone in India-Nepal trade connectivity. The inaugural freight train carrying 40 containers is expected to reduce logistics costs, improve supply chain efficiency and facilitate third-country imports under the Nepal-India Transit Treaty.
Key Highlights
- First-ever rail cargo service between Kolkata Port and Biratnagar officially begins.
- The inaugural freight train carried 40 high-capacity containers to Nepal.
- The new service is expected to reduce logistics costs and transit time for Nepali importers.
- The initiative strengthens India-Nepal trade connectivity under the Nepal-India Transit Treaty.
Kathmandu, July 18: The first-ever rail cargo service between Kolkata Port and Biratnagar in eastern Nepal was officially launched on Friday, marking a significant milestone in enhancing India-Nepal trade connectivity and facilitating imports from third countries under the Nepal-India Transit Treaty. The new service is expected to improve logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs and strengthen regional supply chains.
The inaugural CONCOR freight train departed from Kolkata Port carrying 40 high-capacity forty-foot containers destined for the Biratnagar Customs Yard. The service was jointly flagged off by Nepal’s Consul General in Kolkata, Jhakka Prasad Acharya, along with officials from Kolkata Customs, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port and the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).
The first shipment consists of 40 containers operated by Maersk Line, carrying farmer-dressed canola grain imported from Australia for Swastik Oil Industries of Nepal. Equipped with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), the containers will travel via the Jogbani Integrated Customs Yard on the India-Nepal border before reaching Biratnagar, with the journey expected to take around 24 hours.
Until now, Birgunj was Nepal’s only rail-linked customs point handling containerised imports from Indian seaports. The introduction of the Biratnagar rail cargo corridor enables direct transportation of both containerised and bulk cargo, with a single freight train capable of carrying up to 45 forty-foot containers, significantly expanding Nepal’s trade logistics capacity.
The service is expected to substantially reduce port demurrage charges, container detention costs and road transportation expenses, making imports more economical for Nepali businesses. It is also expected to improve supply chain reliability, enhance industrial competitiveness and strengthen economic cooperation between India and Nepal.
The launch follows amendments made by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) Regulations, 2019, in November 2025, allowing rail cargo movement from the ports of Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam to Biratnagar Customs Office. Subsequent procedural guidelines issued by Kolkata Customs in February 2026 paved the way for the operationalisation of this historic cross-border freight corridor.
The launch of the Kolkata-Biratnagar rail cargo service marks a new chapter in India-Nepal economic cooperation, providing faster, safer and more cost-effective cargo movement while strengthening regional trade, logistics connectivity and supply chain resilience.
