First Coal Train from India Arrives in Birgunj, Nepal

A cargo train carrying coal has entered Nepal for the first time. The Indian Railways train, carrying 36 lakh kg of coal, arrived at the Birgunj dry port yard at 10 pm on Saturday.

Coal purchased by Latika Commodity Supplies Pvt Ltd from India has arrived in Nepal. With the coal now at the yard of the Nepalese customs, Nepali businessmen are freed from the problem of coal theft, and the risk of non-recovery insurance for the loss of coal will also be reduced.

The cargo train departed from Raniganj in West Bengal on Friday morning and arrived at the dry port on Saturday night. Currently, the cargo train is being unloaded. Phulkumar Lalwani, a coal importer businessman, was quoted as mentioning that businessmen felt great relief when the cargo train, which previously only reached Raxaul, entered Nepal.

"There were incidents of theft and insecurity when coal was cut in Raxaul. Now, coal is being cut in our own customs yard," he was quoted as saying.

The Intermodal Transport Development Committee, the developer of the dry port infrastructure, stated that the initiative to bring the rail to Raxaul and connect it to its own port began a year ago.

Ashish Gajurel, executive director of the committee, was quoted as stating that the completed infrastructure, after extensive efforts, has made it possible for cargo trains to enter Nepal for the first time.

"Our initiative for Nepalese ports to handle all import and export activities has been successful," he was quoted as saying.

The committee believes that by importing dusty cargo by train to Birgunj, the need to return to Indian soil will be eliminated, resulting in significant cost relief for businessmen."