The train, consisting of 40 wagons carrying a consignment of canola, marks the operationalisation of the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol. This revised agreement enables direct rail movement of bulk cargo without the need for transhipment at the border, significantly enhancing trade efficiency.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway, stated that this development is expected to reduce transit time, lower logistics costs, and streamline cargo handling between the two neighboring countries.
This achievement builds on the broad-gauge rail link established between Jogb in India and Biratnagar in Nepal, which was inaugurated in June 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former Prime Minister of Nepal. Following the signing of the revised Letter of Exchange (LoE) in November 2025, direct commercial rail freight movement to Nepal has now become a reality.
Sharma emphasized the growing role of Northeast Frontier Railway in bolstering international rail connectivity and facilitating seamless cross-border trade. He highlighted that this initiative is set to boost bilateral commerce, improve logistics efficiency, and reinforce India’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity through modern railway infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Northeast Frontier Railway plans to continue strengthening cross-border rail links, enhancing freight logistics, and supporting the expanding trade and economic partnership between India and Nepal with reliable and customer-focused rail services.
