India has launched its first direct commercial container freight train to Nepal, allowing cargo to move by rail from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar without border transshipment….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India has launched its first direct commercial container freight train to Nepal, marking a significant step in strengthening rail-based cross-border trade and improving freight connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
The inaugural service transported a consignment of canola from Kolkata Port to the Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal, with the train comprising 40 wagons. According to a Railway Ministry statement issued on Tuesday, the journey was completed under the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol.
The ministry said the operation enables containerised cargo to move directly from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar by rail without the need for transshipment at the India-Nepal border.
“The successful operation enables direct rail movement of containerised cargo from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar without transshipment at the border. The new arrangement is expected to substantially reduce transit time, logistics costs and cargo handling while improving the efficiency, reliability and competitiveness of cross-border trade between the two neighbouring countries. The milestone has been made possible through the implementation of the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol, which facilitates seamless end-to-end rail transportation of freight between the two countries,” the ministry said.
The development builds on the broad-gauge rail link between Jogbani in Bihar and Biratnagar in Nepal, which was jointly inaugurated in June 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’s then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
The Railway Ministry said direct commercial freight movement became possible following the signing of the revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025.
“After the signing of the revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025, direct commercial rail movement to Biratnagar has now become operational, opening new opportunities for bilateral trade and economic cooperation,” the statement said.
Officials said the new rail service is expected to speed up the movement of import and export cargo while lowering transportation costs and reducing cargo handling.
The ministry said fewer handling points would improve supply chain efficiency and benefit exporters, importers, logistics operators and industries engaged in cross-border trade.
It added that greater use of rail freight would contribute to lower logistics costs, improved cargo reliability and more environmentally sustainable transportation while strengthening economic ties between India and Nepal.
The Railway Ministry said the milestone reflects Indian Railways’ continued efforts to expand international rail connectivity, modernise freight logistics and support the government’s objective of improving ease of doing business through enhanced transport infrastructure.
