NFR marks historic first with direct container freight train to Nepal

Guwahati, July 27 (IANS) In a landmark achievement for India-Nepal rail connectivity, the first-ever direct commercial container freight train, comprising 40 wagons carrying a consignment of canola, completed its journey from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal, officials said on Monday.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the historic movement marks the operationalisation of the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol and opens a new chapter in cross-border freight transportation.

The train operated seamlessly under the revised transit framework, allowing direct rail movement of bulk cargo from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar without transshipment at the border. According to officials, this is expected to reduce transit time, logistics costs, and cargo handling while improving trade efficiency between the two neighbouring countries.

Sharma said the achievement builds upon the broad-gauge rail link between Bihar’s Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), inaugurated in June 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former Prime Minister of Nepal.

Following the signing of the revised Letter of Exchange in November 2025, direct commercial rail movement to Nepal has now become a reality.

The NFR CPRO pointed out that this milestone highlights the growing role of Northeast Frontier Railway in strengthening international rail connectivity and facilitating seamless cross-border trade. The initiative is expected to boost bilateral commerce, improve logistics efficiency and further reinforce India’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity through modern railway infrastructure.

Sharma said that building on this historic achievement, NFR will continue to strengthen cross-border rail connectivity, enhance freight logistics and support the growing trade and economic partnership between India and Nepal through efficient, reliable and customer-focused railway services.

The Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail link project, being implemented by NFR, is also nearing completion and is expected to enhance rail connectivity between the Northeastern states and Bangladesh.

–IANS

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