CONCOR launches first direct Punjab–Haldia export Train for Bangladesh and global trade

In a significant boost to eastern corridor trade in India, Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has commenced its first-ever direct container train service from Ahmedgarh, Punjab to Haldia Port, carrying export cargo destined for Bangladesh via Chittagong Port.

The inaugural rake, dispatched yesterday, carried 31 × 40-ft containers loaded with yarn commodities, marking a major milestone for North India’s textile exporters. The first movement was done in Feb 2026.

Punjab is one of India’s key yarn-producing regions, but exporters often face:

• Inland transit delays

• High trucking dependency

• Port congestion bottlenecks

• Longer lead times to Bangladesh

By connecting Ahmedgarh directly to Haldia Port, CONCOR has streamlined the multimodal chain:

Ahmedgarh → Haldia (Rail) → Chittagong (Sea) → Bangladesh Inland Delivery

Key benefits of the new service

Reduced lead time
Direct rail evacuation minimizes transshipment delays and improves schedule reliability.

Lower logistics cost
Rail movement reduces per-container inland haulage costs compared to long-distance road transport.

Supply chain optimization
Exporters can now plan production cycles better with predictable dispatch windows.

Decongestion of Western gateways
This initiative shifts some export volume away from traditional west coast ports, balancing infrastructure utilization.

Bangladesh remains a major textile manufacturing hub, and Indian yarn plays a crucial role in its garment value chain. This rail–sea connectivity strengthens bilateral trade efficiency and enhances India’s competitiveness in regional textile supply.

For exporters in Punjab, this corridor is not just a new route — it is a structural logistics upgrade.