First private cargo train arrives Nepal from India

A cargo train of the private sector has arrived in Nepal from India on Wednesday for the first time. The cargo train arrived in Birgunj this morning after 17 years of operations of the Nepal-India rail service.

The one-rack cargo train of Hind Terminal Pvt Ltd arrived at Birgunj-based dry port at 10:00 am, according to Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee.  Executive Director of the Committee, Ashish Gajurel, said that the train carrying 90 containers of foodstuffs from Haldiya arrived at the dry port.

Gajurel shared that the Hind Terminal Pvt Ltd would import cargo twice a week while the other four companies have also shown their interest in cargo transportation.

The number of cargo companies for transportation might be increased as the private sector managed cargo train are allowed for the same.

The railway service agreement signed between Nepal and India in 2004 had established a monopoly of container corporation, a sister organization of Indian railway, in transportation through the train.

The agreement was amended last July 9 breaking the monopoly of Indian containers after a hiatus of 17 years. The cargo train of the private sector arrived at Birgunj-based dry port for the first time within around two months since the railway service was amended.