The Last Train in Nepal
A look at a railway line which runs for just 20 miles from Janakpur in Nepal to Jaynagar junction in India, but which is now under threat of closure.
In 1927 a British civil servant drew a line on a map to define the border between their Indian empire and the kingdom of Nepal. Today, that border line is only marked by a chain of boundary stones and pillars - it's a border that is almost invisible.
This is the story of an international railway line. It runs for 20 miles from the little-known town of Janakpur in Nepal and crosses over the border to Jaynagar junction in India.
But now the last train in Nepal is under threat of closure. Starved of funds from central government, the train and the track are in a dilapidated state. Derailments are common and the engine often breaks down. Yet it's a lifeline both for the community and the railway workers - their little train is held together with determination, invention and love.
Regina is strong, independent Nepali woman, married at 12 and pregnant at 13. Deserted by her husband, she's now a single mother of two teenage boys. She makes a living as a smuggler of small household goods. But it's illegal, so even when the train is running there's always the chance of getting caught.
Aarman is a ticket collector in Janakpur station. Married with three small children, he's the sole breadwinner for an extended family and he hasn't been paid for three months. Already deeply in debt, he wanted to send his kids to school, but if the line closes he's out of job - and no job means no money.
This is the story of the last train in Nepal and the community and railway workers who struggle every day to keep their train and their hopes alive.
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The Last Train in Nepal
Duration: 01:00
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Narrator | Bernard Hill |
Director | Tarun Bhartiya |
Series Producer | Gerry Troyna |
Executive Producer | Grant McKee |
Production Company | 3Di TV Software Programs Ltd |
Broadcasts
- Thu 19 Mar 2015 21:00
- Mon 23 Mar 2015 20:00
- Wed 9 Sep 2015 22:00
- Sat 12 Sep 2015 19:00
- Thu 14 Jan 2016 22:30
- Sun 17 Jan 2016 19:00
- Tue 15 Nov 2016 23:00
- Sat 19 Nov 2016 19:00
- Tue 5 Sep 2017 20:00
- Wed 6 Sep 2017 01:00
- Tue 28 May 2019 20:00
- Wed 29 May 2019 02:55
- Tue 1 Feb 2022 22:00
- Wed 10 Apr 2024 19:00
- Thu 11 Apr 2024 01:55