By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, July 6: Transporting daily necessities has become a major challenge for residents after the ferry service across the Karnali River, located between Jagannath and Swamikartik Khapar rural municipalities in Bajura, was suspended.
The ferry had made it easier for locals in the northeastern part of the district to transport goods and vehicles across the Karnali River.
However, since the first week of Asar, the water level in the Karnali River has risen significantly due to the monsoon, forcing the suspension of the ferry service. As a result, transporting essential goods has become difficult.
Locals now have to cross the river on foot and carry sacks of daily necessities on their backs from Sanfebagar in Achham and from Barjugad, Tipada, Martadi, Dansangu, Kolti and Pilichaur in Bajura.
The ferry used to transport vehicles, including jeeps and tractors, across the river. With the service suspended, vehicles that operated throughout the winter are now stranded on either side of the river, while those travelling from the Swamikartik Khapar side can only reach Pilichaur.
As vehicles can no longer cross the river, residents of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality now rely on porters to transport essential goods such as salt, cooking oil, rice and pulses.
“During the winter, vehicles reached our homes directly. Now we have to carry heavy loads on foot for two to four hours,” said Nare Bahadur Luhar, a resident of Ward No. 2 of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality.
Although roads have reached most villages and vehicles operate during the dry season, the absence of a permanent bridge over the Karnali River disrupts transportation every monsoon, Luhar said.
The lack of a bridge over the Karnali River remains the biggest problem for residents of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality.
Although locals have repeatedly urged the provincial government to construct a bridge, no progress has been made.
Chairman of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality Bharat Bahadur Rokaya said, “Most wards of the municipality are connected by road, and vehicles operate in all wards during the winter. However, during the rainy season, all vehicles stop at Pilichaur because they cannot cross the river.”
He added, “Building a bridge over the Karnali River requires a huge investment, which is beyond the municipality’s capacity. We have repeatedly requested the government to construct the bridge.”
According to Chairman Rokaya, no progress has been made on the bridge project. At present, only two dozers and a few tractors remain on the municipality’s side of the river, while all jeeps are parked at Pilichaur. During the monsoon, locals depend on porters to transport daily necessities.
The Rising Nepal
