Steamer service resumes in Kaligandaki River

By Tilachan Pandey

Tamghas, Oct. 31: The steamer service, which was halted since May this year, has been resumed in the Kaligandaki River of Syangja district. 

The service resumed from the third week of October.  

The service was suspended after the water level increased in the six-kilometre section of the river from Mirmi to Setibeni before monsoon. 

“The water level in the river has decreased enough to operate the steamboats properly,” said Dolraj Bhattarai, chairman of Shila Shaligram Kaligandaki Water Transportation Pvt. Ltd.

The steamer service had come into operation since 2005 by receiving a permission from Syangja District Administration Office. 

The service provider has been registered in the Office of the Company Registrar in 2013.

The service started with 12 steamboats, but  now only four are in operation.

“Many pilgrims have been arriving in this region to worship Shaligram, the biggest holy rock of Asia. 

The pilgrims, sometimes, reserve a steamer to visit the Shila Shaligram. However, there is a shortage of visitors to operate the steamers properly,” said Bhattarai.

He added, “Since the Kaligandaki Corridor in Gulmi district and Kaligandaki Highway in Parbat district are now open for the vehicular movement, people prefer road transportation to steamers.”

An individual is charged Rs. 200 for a one-way transportation from Mirmi to Setibeni. 

People visiting in groups are also provided special discounts. If a group wants to reserve a steamer, it will cost above Rs. 2,000 based on the seat capacity.

The steamers take 30-45 minutes to reach Setibeni from Mirmi.