Darshana & Gede Border Crossing

The Darshana-Gede Crossing: The Maitree Express Route

The border crossing at Darshana in Bangladesh, which connects to the Indian station of Gede, is exclusively a railway crossing. It is the route of the Maitree Express, the first modern international passenger train service to connect the capitals of Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Kolkata (India). Unlike the chaotic road border at Benapole, this crossing is a more orderly and comfortable affair, a journey through the green, riverine landscapes of Bengal from the comfort of an air-conditioned train. The crossing is not open to pedestrians or private vehicles; it exists only for the passengers of the Maitri Express. For the traveler, this represents the most relaxed and civilized way to travel overland between these two great cultural hubs. The experience is one of watching the countryside roll by, punctuated by the formal, on-board and in-station procedures of an international rail journey.

A History of Reconnecting a Historic Railway

The railway line between Kolkata and Dhaka is a legacy of the British Raj. The “Eastern Bengal Railway” was a critical piece of infrastructure, connecting the port of Calcutta with the jute-producing regions and tea gardens of eastern Bengal and Assam. The Partition of 1947 severed this vital link. The railway line was cut at the new international border. For decades, there were no direct passenger train services. The launch of the Maitree Express (Friendship Express) in 2008, after years of negotiations, was a landmark diplomatic achievement. It was a powerful symbol of the improving relationship between India and Bangladesh and a nostalgic restoration of a historic connection. The service was designed to provide a more comfortable and secure alternative to the hectic bus journey via the Benapole road border. It has since become a very popular and successful service, a testament to the deep desire for connection between the people of the two Bengals.

The Border Crossing Procedure: A Civilized Rail Journey

The key to this crossing is that all immigration and customs procedures are completed at the departure and arrival stations, not at the border itself. This makes the journey much smoother than a road crossing. You must have a valid visa for the country you are entering, obtained in advance.

The Journey from Dhaka (Bangladesh): The Maitree Express departs from the Dhaka Cantonment railway station. You must arrive several hours before departure. At the station, you will go through Bangladeshi immigration and customs. An officer will check your passport and visa for India and stamp you out of Bangladesh. Your luggage will be inspected. You then board the train. The train travels to the border station of Darshana, but you do not get off. It then crosses the border into India.

The Journey from Kolkata (India): The Maitree Express departs from the Kolkata railway station (Chitpur). Similarly, you must arrive early to complete Indian immigration and customs formalities at the station before you board the train. An officer will check your passport and your Bangladeshi visa and stamp you out of India. Your luggage is checked, and then you board the train. The train travels to the border station of Gede, where it makes a technical halt, but passengers remain on board. It then crosses into Bangladesh.

Arrival Formalities: Upon arrival at your destination station (Kolkata or Dhaka), you will disembark and proceed to a dedicated immigration and customs area within the station. Here, you will go through the entry formalities for the country you have just arrived in. An immigration officer will check your documents and stamp you in. Your luggage will go through another customs check. While this two-step process (formalities at both departure and arrival) can seem lengthy, it is far more comfortable and orderly than the chaos of a road border.

The Train Service and Booking

The Maitree Express is a fully air-conditioned train with comfortable seating and chair cars. The journey takes approximately 8 to 10 hours, which includes the time spent on formalities. The train runs on specific days of the week, so you must check the schedule in advance. Booking tickets can be one of the main challenges. Tickets must be booked in person at the respective railway stations in Kolkata or Dhaka. You will need your passport and visa to book. It is not possible to book online. Tickets often sell out well in advance, so it is essential to book as early as possible. The train journey itself is very pleasant, passing through the lush, green countryside of the Bengal delta, a landscape of rice paddies, rivers, and villages. It offers a wonderful window into the rural life of the region.

Final Planning Advice for the Friendship Express

The Darshana-Gede rail crossing via the Maitree Express is by far the most comfortable and civilized way to travel overland between Dhaka and Kolkata. The key to the journey is planning. Check the train schedule carefully and book your tickets as far in advance as possible. Ensure you have your visa for your destination country before you attempt to book. Arrive at the departure station with plenty of time to spare for the immigration and customs procedures. By doing this, you can enjoy a relaxing and scenic journey that harks back to the golden age of railway travel on the subcontinent. It is a journey that is not just about getting from one capital to another, but about experiencing the restoration of a historic and deeply significant cultural link.