Cargo train arrives at Biratnagar from Kolkata under Nepal‑India transit agreement

BIRATNAGAR: A cargo train carrying imported goods from Kolkata, India, arrived at the Integrated Checkpoint (ICP) Biratnagar on Monday.

The train, which left Kolkata on July 17 with industrial raw materials for edible oil production, was welcomed by Biratnagar Customs Office chief Umesh Shrestha, traders, entrepreneurs and members of the public.

Under the Nepal‑India Transit Agreement, the arrangement to bring goods imported from third countries via the Indian customs yard in Jogbani to the Nepal customs yard in Budhanagar Bhediyari, Biratnagar‑18, comes into effect from today.

Earlier, Nepali Consul General in Kolkata Ishwor Raj Poudel, Kolkata Customs, Kolkata Port and Indian Container Corporation Limited officials jointly saw off the cargo train, Biratnagar Customs Office chief Shrestha said.

Once the rail service is fully operational, forty‑five 40‑foot containers will arrive in Biratnagar at a time.

Officials said cargo by rail is safer, more reliable and lower cost than road transport, and that it will reach Biratnagar from Kolkata in about 24 hours, easing the movement of goods.

Industrialists and traders in the eastern region welcomed the service, saying the rail cargo facility, previously available only in Birganj, is now operational in Biratnagar.

By RSS