NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has achieved a landmark moment in South Asian trade connectivity, successfully running the first-ever direct commercial container freight train from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal.
The maiden freight train to Biratnagar carried canola oil loaded across 40 wagons, officially writing a new chapter in India’s cross-border rail freight story.
This historic freight train runs on the broad-gauge rail link connecting Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), which was inaugurated back in June 2023.
The real breakthrough, however, came later. After India and Nepal signed a revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025, direct commercial rail movement to Biratnagar finally became a reality unlocking fresh possibilities for trade and economic partnership between the two neighbours.
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Why does this launch matter?
This new freight corridor isn’t just symbolic; it brings real, practical benefits to trade between the two nations.
The service is set to speed up the transport of both import and export cargo, offering a mode of transportation that’s quicker, more cost-effective, and better for the environment. By cutting out multiple handling points along the route, the new system will noticeably improve overall supply chain efficiency.
Exporters, importers, logistics companies, and industries involved in cross-border commerce all stand to gain from this streamlined new route.
Beyond India-Nepal ties, this launch reflects a broader push positioning India as a growing player in international rail-based trade connectivity.
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