BL reported that Jogbani to Biratnagar route will now be used as an alternative to Raxaul to Birganj for rail containerized imports through Kolkata port bound for Nepal. Cargo inducement on the route is estimated at about 8,000 TEUs to 9,000 TEUs annually. At present, the entire volume is transported by road.

Container trains from Kolkata port previously went into Nepali territory right up to the Birganj inland container depot. This was possible because of the rail link between Raxaul which is on the Indian side of the border and Birganj which is in Nepal. This will be impossible on the Jogbani to Biratnagar route as there is no railway connection between Jogbani, India and Biratnagar, Nepal.

Loaded containers from Kolkata port will be offloaded and destuffed at Jogbani for onward transportation by road to Biratnagar container freight station.

According to report, rail movement of containers from Kolkata port to Jogbani will start as soon as the Jogbani railway goods shed being refurbished to handle containerized traffic is ready for operation.

However, the present arrangement of transhipment of containers at Jogbani could at best be a temporary one. There is a proposal for a full fledged facility for handling containers to be transported by rail and road at Bathnaha on the Indian side about 7 kilometer from Jogbani. There will be an integrated check post operated by customs authorities of the two countries. Also, connectivity and other infrastructure on both sides will be substantially improved.