Indian Railways starts direct container freight service from Kolkata Port to Nepal
India’s first direct commercial container train has reached Biratnagar from Kolkata Port, removing border transhipment for Nepal-bound cargo. The operational service is expected to cut transit time, handling and logistics costs for cross-border traders.
Indian Railways launched the first direct commercial container freight service from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar, Nepal, eliminating border transhipment and aiming to reduce transit time, logistics costs and cargo handling for cross-border traders.
Why this matters
The Nepal service extends Indian Railways’ freight buildout after 142 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned and 310 approved, while addressing the MSME cost-access gap highlighted in a recent rail-versus-road signal.
Retail-company signals are accelerating, up 400233% QoQ.