Biratnagar, July 17: The Kolkata–Biratnagar rail cargo service for transporting third-country imports to Nepal through Indian territory officially commenced on Friday under the Nepal–India Transit Treaty.
The treaty allows Nepal to transport import and export cargo to and from third countries through India’s road, rail and inland waterways.
The service follows a decision by India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), which amended the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) Regulations, 2019 through Notification No. 73/2025-Customs, issued on November 4, 2025. The amendment expanded the rail cargo network from the Indian ports of Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam to Nepal’s Biratnagar Customs Office.
The Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata said it had continuously coordinated with Indian authorities to implement the decision. Subsequently, on February 26, 2026, the Kolkata Customs Office issued procedural guidelines allowing rail cargo from Kolkata and Haldia to be transported not only to Birgunj, but also via the Jogbani Integrated Customs Check Post to the Biratnagar Customs Yard.
Following coordination between the Nepali Consulate General, Kolkata Customs, the Kolkata Port Authority and shipping companies, the first official rail cargo service from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar was inaugurated on Thursday.
The inaugural cargo train was flagged off by Nepal’s Consul General in Kolkata, Jhakka Prasad Acharya, together with officials from Kolkata Customs, Kolkata Port, and the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR).
According to the Consulate General, the first shipment, operated by CONCOR, carried 40 high-capacity 40-foot containers loaded with imported raw materials for Swastik Oil Industries of Nepal. All containers are equipped with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).
With the service now operational via the Jogbani Integrated Customs Check Post to Biratnagar, up to 45 forty-foot cargo containers can be transported directly by rail to Biratnagar in a single shipment.
Officials said rail transport offers a safer, more reliable, faster and lower-cost alternative to road transportation, making the import of all types of goods more efficient.
Previously, Birgunj was the only entry point in Nepal offering direct rail cargo services from Indian ports. The launch of the Biratnagar service is expected to improve logistics and strengthen Nepal’s trade connectivity with third countries. #nepal
