First direct freight train from India reaches Nepal Customs Yard, giving major push to bilateral trade
By Sahil Pandey, Biratnagar, July 22
In a major milestone for India-Nepal trade and connectivity, the first direct commercial freight train carrying a consignment of canola grains arrived at the Nepal Customs Yard in Biratnagar from Kolkata Port on July 20, marking the operationalisation of the amended India-Nepal rail transit framework.
The 40-wagon rake reached Biratnagar via the Indian Customs Yard at Jogbani, becoming the first commercial cargo train to use the cross-border rail corridor after the signing of the Letter of Exchange (LoE), amending the Protocol to the India-Nepal Treaty of Transit, in November 2025.
The development is seen as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral economic connectivity and improving cross-border rail logistics between the two neighbours.
The Jogbani (India)-Biratnagar (Nepal) broad-gauge cross-border rail link was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on June 1, 2023. Built with grant assistance from the Government of India, the project was conceived to facilitate seamless freight movement between the two countries.
However, commercial operations required amendments to the existing Protocol under the India-Nepal Treaty of Transit. Following sustained diplomatic engagement, both sides signed the Letter of Exchange on November 13, 2025, in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal's then Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Anil Kumar Sinha.
The amended protocol permits direct rail movement of both containerised and bulk cargo from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports to designated rail points in Nepal, including the Nepal Customs Yard at Biratnagar.
Officials said the first commercial freight movement marks the practical implementation of the amended transit framework and unlocks the full potential of the cross-border rail link.
The direct rail service is expected to reduce logistics costs, improve transit efficiency for Nepal, strengthen its access to Indian ports and further boost bilateral trade while reinforcing India's role as Nepal's principal transit partner.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally! This was long overdue after the rail link was inaugurated in 2023. Better late than never, but hope the customs processes are also streamlined to avoid delays at the border. Efficiency matters as much as infrastructure.
Great news for Nepal's economy! They can now access Indian ports more cheaply. But I hope Indian exporters also benefit—this should be a two-way street. Let's see if Nepali goods can use the same route to reach Kolkata port.
As someone who's worked in logistics, this is a game-changer for landlocked Nepal. Rail transport is far more cost-effective than road for bulk goods. India's Neighbourhood First policy is showing tangible results here.
Good initiative, but let's not forget that the rail link was ready since 2023—the protocol delay was unnecessary. Bureaucracy often slows down progress. Hope we see similar efficiency in other cross-border projects with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
This is exactly the kind of infrastructure win that boosts regional trade. Nepal gets cheaper access to ports, and India strengthens its role as a transit hub. Win-win for both sides. Kudos to the diplomatic teams! 🙌
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