Cargo train arrives directly from Kolkata to Biratnagar, relief for transportation to industries in the east
Biratnagar. Imported industrial raw materials from third countries are now being imported directly from Kolkata to Biratnagar by rail. With the commencement of regular cargo train service for the first time under the Nepal-India Transit Agreement, industrialists and businessmen of eastern Nepal are expecting to reduce both transportation time and cost.
The cargo train carrying industrial raw materials that left Kolkata port on Friday arrived at the customs yard in Biratnagar on Monday afternoon.
In the first consignment, raw materials imported from third countries have been brought to Swastik Oil Industries located in the Morang-Sunsari Industrial Corridor.
Earlier, goods coming from third countries had to be brought to Nepal by rail and then by road.
Now, the transportation process has become easier now with the railway directly reaching the Customs Yard of Biratnagar.
The official launch of the cargo train service was done in a special ceremony held in Kolkata.
Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, Jhakka Prasad Acharya, high officials of Indian Customs and representatives of Kolkata Port and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) jointly flagged off the train to Biratnagar.
Customs staff, industrialists and businessmen welcomed the train when it arrived at Biratnagar Customs Yard on Monday. Industrialists have expressed the belief that with the operation of regular railway service, import cost will be reduced, goods will arrive sooner and the operation of industries will be easier.
The railway was operated on a trial basis in 2080 BS with the objective of bringing a cargo train up to the Integrated Check Post of Biratnagar.
But due to policy complexities and lack of procedural coordination, the service could not be regularized.
The way for regularizing the Kolkata-Biratnagar railway service has been cleared after the necessary policy agreement was reached between the concerned authorities of Nepal and India in recent period.
This is seen as an important achievement for the industrial sector of eastern Nepal.
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