India-Nepal Direct Container Freight Train Launches Between Kolkata Port and Biratnagar
The Indian Railways has operated the first direct commercial container freight train between Kolkata Port in India and the Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal. The train comprised 40 wagons loaded with canola and completed its journey on 27 July 2026 under the revised India‑Nepal Rail Transit Protocol signed in November 2025.
Northeast Frontier Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the service will cut transit times, lower logistics costs and minimise cargo handling, boosting bilateral trade. The new arrangement builds on the broad‑gauge Jogbani‑Biratnagar rail link inaugurated in June 2023 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Indian officials expect the rail link to enhance trade efficiency, improve supply‑chain reliability and support broader regional connectivity projects such as the Agartala‑Akhaura link to Bangladesh.
Entities: Biratnagar Customs Yard · Indian Railways · Kapinjal Kishore Sharma · Kolkata Port · Narendra Modi · Northeast Frontier Railway
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The broad‑gauge Jogbani‑Biratnagar rail link was inaugurated in June 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Prime Minister of Nepal.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The train consisted of 40 wagons carrying a consignment of canola.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The train is expected to reduce transit time, lower logistics costs and minimise cargo handling.
- [DISPUTED] The service operated under the revised India‑Nepal Rail Transit Protocol signed in November 2025.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Agartala‑Akhaura rail link project to Bangladesh is nearing completion and will enhance regional connectivity.
- [DISPUTED] The train journey was completed on July 27.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Northeast Frontier Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma announced the milestone.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The first direct commercial container freight train operated between Kolkata Port, India and Biratnagar Customs Yard, Nepal.