Nepal-India Transit Agreement: Kolkata-Biratnagar Railway Cargo Service Launched

Kathmandu. Under the Nepal-India Transit Agreement, the Kolkata-Biratnagar railway cargo service for transporting goods imported from third countries has been formally operationalized.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cargo transportation through this route commenced from Shrawan 1, 2083 BS.

During a regular press conference held at the Ministry, spokesperson and Joint Secretary Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri expressed confidence that the commencement of this service will have a positive impact on Nepal's foreign trade.

He informed that with the operation of railway cargo, trade costs will decrease, the transportation process will become more secure and reliable, and imported goods will reach their destinations in less time.

Speaking about the operation of the cargo service, spokesperson Chhetri said, 'Under the Nepal-India Transit Agreement, the Kolkata-Biratnagar railway cargo service has been operationalized from Shrawan 1, 2083 BS with the objective of transporting goods imported from third countries via Indian territory to the Nepal border.'

The Ministry believes that the delay charges, container detention charges, and additional burden of road transportation previously borne by Nepali importers will now be significantly reduced.

Clarifying about trade facilitation, he added, 'With the operation of this service, trade costs are expected to decrease, and transportation will become more secure, reliable, and faster. Additionally, the delay charges, container detention charges, and additional expenses related to road transportation borne by Nepali importers during transit will be reduced.'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects that this process will contribute concretely to trade facilitation by reducing overall trade transit costs and help strengthen the competitive capacity of Nepali industrialists.