For most, the only serious consequence of the border divide is defined by mere documents—passport and visa. The border may have separated families on both sides but it has not divided them.

People still trudge down to Gede from Bangladesh with baggage to take connecting trains to other parts of the West Bengal suburbs. The only stopover was the tiny hutment that serves as a BSF checkpost where they have to register themselves and get their baggage checked before heading for the immigration and customs check point on the Gede station.

This daily footfall of “on foot” travellers, between the two sides, has triggered a local industry of sorts. Local unauthorised moneychangers—about six of them—have set up base near the station. A desk, chair and a signboard are all they need to operate from the minimalist office. Business is brisk, they say, but the revival of the train service does not pose any threat to their age-old dealings. They don’t mind competition and talks of an authorised money exchange counter coming up soon don’t seem to bother them much. “The train will definitely boost the local economy and a host of other avenues will open up for all of us. We have seen it happen in the past. We are confident this will happen again,” said a local moneychanger.

The locals have a taste of what the resumption of service would mean to the people on both sides. As of now, a train from Bangladesh comes once a year for three days during a fair in Midnapore district. “You got to see it to believe it. The station at Gede becomes a venue for a massive congregation. It’s such a celebratory atmosphere. With the Maitree Express chugging in, the weekly exchanges can only get better,” says Dinabandhu Mahaldar.

... contd.