India, Nepal rail cargo movement gets a boost

12 Jul 2021 CW Team

This liberalisation enables the market forces to come up within the rail freight segment in Nepal and is probably to increase efficiency and cost- competitiveness, ultimately benefiting the customers in Nepal.

These cargo train operators include private, and public container trains Operators, special freight train operators, automobile freight train operators, or any other operator authorised by the Indian Railways.

It will take effect from 9 July, after the formal exchange of Note Verbales and signed copies of the Letter of Exchange between officials of India and Nepal.

All kinds of cargoes in all categories of wagons that will carry the load on the Indian Railways network within India may also carry the freight to and from Nepal after this LoE.

The move is going to decrease transportation costs for automobiles and certain other products whose carriage takes place in special wagons.

Owned by Nepal Railway Company, Wagon also will be authorised to carry Nepal-bound freight over the Indian Railways network as per IR standards and procedures, inbound and outbound on Kolkata/Haldia to Biratnagar/Birgunj routes.

In India's efforts to enhance regional connectivity, the signing of this LoE marks another milestone under the "Neighbourhood First" policy.

The ceremony was led by Member (Operations and Business Development), Ministry of Railways, Shri Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, from the Indian side. It was directed by the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies, Shri Dinesh Bhattarai.

Also, the representatives from the Northern Division, Ministry of Railways, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Ministry of External Affairs, India and South Asia Division of Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present.

Image Source

The rail transportation between India and Nepal got a significant boost with the coming into force of authorisation to all cargo train operators to use the Indian railway network to hold all containers headed for Nepal, regardless of whether the bilateral load between Indian and Nepal or third country load from Indian ports to Nepal. This liberalisation enables the market forces to come up within the rail freight segment in Nepal and is probably to increase efficiency and cost- competitiveness, ultimately benefiting the customers in Nepal. These cargo train operators include private, and public container trains Operators, special freight train operators, automobile freight train operators, or any other operator authorised by the Indian Railways. It will take effect from 9 July, after the formal exchange of Note Verbales and signed copies of the Letter of Exchange between officials of India and Nepal. All kinds of cargoes in all categories of wagons that will carry the load on the Indian Railways network within India may also carry the freight to and from Nepal after this LoE. The move is going to decrease transportation costs for automobiles and certain other products whose carriage takes place in special wagons. Owned by Nepal Railway Company, Wagon also will be authorised to carry Nepal-bound freight over the Indian Railways network as per IR standards and procedures, inbound and outbound on Kolkata/Haldia to Biratnagar/Birgunj routes. In India's efforts to enhance regional connectivity, the signing of this LoE marks another milestone under the Neighbourhood First policy. The ceremony was led by Member (Operations and Business Development), Ministry of Railways, Shri Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, from the Indian side. It was directed by the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies, Shri Dinesh Bhattarai. Also, the representatives from the Northern Division, Ministry of Railways, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Ministry of External Affairs, India and South Asia Division of Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present.Image Source