Nepal has launched its first direct rail cargo service connecting Kolkata Port with Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi Province, marking a major milestone in Nepal–India transit cooperation and significantly enhancing logistics connectivity for eastern Nepal.
The inaugural service, flagged off on Thursday, enables the direct rail transportation of third-country imports from Indian ports to Biratnagar under the provisions of the Nepal–India Transit Treaty. The development follows India’s expansion of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) regulations, allowing cargo trains from Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam ports to transport import cargo directly to Biratnagar Customs via Jogbani.
Until now, Birgunj was the only customs point in Nepal connected by rail to Indian ports for handling third-country imports. The extension of rail connectivity to Biratnagar is expected to streamline the movement of both containerised and bulk cargo, improve supply chain efficiency, reduce transit time and lower overall logistics costs for businesses in eastern Nepal.
The expansion was enabled through India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Notification No. 73/2025-Customs, issued on 4 November 2025, which amended the Electronic Cargo Tracking System Regulations, 2019. Subsequently, Kolkata Customs issued a Public Notice on 26 February 2026, outlining the operational procedures for transporting cargo by rail from Kolkata and Haldia ports to the Nepal Customs Yard at Biratnagar through the Indian Customs Yard at Jogbani.
The inaugural consignment departed from Kolkata Port aboard a Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) freight train carrying 40 high-capacity 40-foot containers operated by Maersk Line. The cargo comprises Canola Grain – Farmer Dressed, imported for Swastik Oil Industries in Nepal. All containers have been fitted with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) to enable real-time cargo monitoring throughout the transit journey.
The train will pass through the Jogbani Integrated Check Post (ICP) before reaching the Biratnagar Customs Yard.
The inaugural train was jointly flagged off by officials from the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata, Kolkata Customs, Kolkata Port, and the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR).
Once fully operational, the service will have the capacity to transport up to 45 forty-foot containers in a single train directly to Biratnagar, substantially increasing cargo handling efficiency for eastern Nepal.
Welcoming the launch, Surkrishna Vaidya, Acting President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said the new rail corridor would significantly reduce logistics costs and transit time for Nepal’s international trade.
“Entrepreneurs have long been requesting the governments of Nepal and India to introduce such a service to facilitate both importers and exporters in Nepal,” he said.
Industry stakeholders expect the new rail link to lower demurrage charges, reduce container detention costs, minimise dependence on road transport and cut transit time between Kolkata and Biratnagar to approximately 24 hours, providing a faster, more reliable and cost-effective alternative for Nepal’s international cargo movement.
