Kolkata–Biratnagar Container Train Runs Without Transfer

INDIA–NEPAL: Indian Railways has completed the first direct commercial container freight train run from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar Customs Yard, carrying canola in 40 wagons without border transshipment.

Direct run removes the border transfer

India’s Ministry of Railways said the train operated under the revised India–Nepal Rail Transit Protocol. The central operational change is that the cargo remained on rail to Nepal’s customs yard instead of being transferred at the international border.

Removing that intermediate handling stage is expected to shorten transit time, reduce logistics expenses and limit cargo handling. Exporters, importers, logistics companies and industries trading across the border are the intended users, although the ministry did not publish a journey-time comparison or a monetary saving.

The completed run moves the corridor from a regulatory arrangement to an operating commercial freight connection. However, the announcement did not specify a timetable, planned frequency or whether future trains will run on a scheduled or demand-led basis.

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Agreement and infrastructure created the route

The service uses the broad-gauge link between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal, inaugurated in June 2023. That infrastructure provided the physical cross-border connection, while a revised Letter of Exchange signed in November 2025 enabled direct commercial freight movement to Biratnagar.

India’s Department of Commerce recorded the exchange of the document on November 13, 2025. It said the change covered rail freight between Jogbani and Biratnagar, including bulk cargo under an expanded definition, and extended liberalisation to the Kolkata–Jogbani, Kolkata–Nautanwa and Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa transit corridors.

Customs tracking supports direct rail movement

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs had operationalised the Indian Customs Yard at Jogbani and notified the rail route to Biratnagar in May 2023. It said Nepal-bound rail cargo using the route from the Indian gateway ports of Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam would move under an Electronic Cargo Tracking System designed to reduce processing time and improve cargo security.

For the new service, the confirmed result is the direct completion of one 40-wagon commercial journey carrying canola. Its longer-term effect will depend on subsequent train volumes, commodity demand and operating frequency, none of which were disclosed in the launch announcement.

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