This morning I walked along the railway as a shortcut to a meeting. Yesterday I saw the new train to India pass by. The border is so important for this city. However, it seems that over the last ten years, Nepal border control officers have been creating problems to Indian travellers, be they pilgrims coming to visit the sacred places in Janakpur, be they traders – issues include unnecessary questioning and fees. This seems to be damaging the development of the city. The border “used to be a bridge, now it’s become a barrier”, commented one person. But the new railway station connecting Janakpur to Jayanagar in India in 2 hours, inaugurated on April 2nd, 2022, full of travellers even when I visited to have a look, may appear as a sign of hope.