Question: Recently a rail cargo movement was in news. Which two countries are involved in such agreement to get it boost?
(a) India and Nepal
(b) India and Srilanka
(c) India and Pakistan
(d) India and Afghanistan
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:
- On 09 JUL 2021,Rail Transportation between India & Nepal got a major boost with coming into force of authorization to all cargo train operators to utilize the Indian railway network to carry all containers bound for Nepal whether bilateral freight between Indian and Nepal or third country freight from Indian ports to Nepal.
- This liberalization will allow market forces to come up in the rail freight segment in Nepal, and is likely to increase efficiency and cost- competitiveness, eventually benefiting the Nepalese consumer.
- These cargo train Operators include public and private container trains Operators, automobile freight train operators, special freight train operators or any other operator authorized by Indian Railways .
- It comes into effect from 09.07.2021 after the formal exchange of Note Verbales and signed copies of Letter of Exchange between officials of India & Nepal.
- Move will reduce transportation costs for automobiles and certain other products whose carriage takes place in special wagons.
- Wagons owned by Nepal Railway Company will also be authorized to carry Nepal-bound freight (inbound and outbound on Kolkata/Haldia to Biratnagar/Birganj routes) over the Indian Railways network as per IR standards and procedures.
- The signing of this LoE marks annother milestone in India’s efforts to enhance regional connectivity under the “Neighbourhood First” policy.
BY: AMIT GUPTA
Reference: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1734254
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