By Shashidhar Parajuli,
Biratnagar, July 20: A cargo rail has arrived in Biratnagar today for the first time directly from Kolkata port.
Carrying mustard imported from third country in forty containers, the cargo train entered today at unified customs check post located at Budhanagar in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-10.
It is the first time that a cargo train has arrived here directly from Kolkata since the inauguration of the service three years ago.
Electronic cargo tracking system has been installed in the container for the safe transportation.
The service came into operation with coordination and cooperation of Nepali consulate general in Kolkata, Kolkata customs and ports and Indian Containers Corporation Limited.
Till date, only Birgunj border has had rail cargo service for imports from third countries.
With the expansion of rail cargo service to Biratnagar now, industrialists and importers in the eastern side have felt great relief, said Nandu Rathi, chairman of Biratnagar based association of industrialists.
Industrialist Suyash Pyakurel said that as railway transport is safer, more reliable and cheaper compared to road transport, transport cost of importer will be reduced.
As rail cargo can arrive in Biratnagar from Kolkata port in about 24 hours, it will also decrease transport period as well.
The Nepal-India trade and transit agreement has provision for Nepal using India’s road, railway and waterway for import and export from third countries. In line with this provision, India’s central indirect tax and customs board had made amendment to the regulations to electronic cargo tracking system and made provision that cargo transport could be done from Kolkata, Haldiya and Bisakhapattanam ports to Biratnagar in Nepal.