Horse carts disappearing in Rautahat

By Sanjay Kumar Mishra,Gaur, Dec. 12: The horse cart, a traditional mode of transportation for moving from one place to another, has been phased out, causing a crisis to those maintaining their livelihood by driving horse carts. 

Initially, the horse cart, which was the primary mode of transportation from the district headquarters of Rautahat in Gaur to the rural areas, is now diminishing with the introduction of the "Tempu" (a modern means of three-wheeler car). 

The quicker and more cost-effective nature of the Tempu has led to a decline in the use of horse carts. 

Panilal Mahato, a horse cart businessman, said that the businessmen who run the cart daily have started to lose their business and the interest of passengers has also decreased.

He said that for a long time, he has been running his family by driving a horse cart, but now with the arrival of vehicles such as Jeep, Bolero, Scorpio and Tempu, the importance of the traditional means of transport has decreased, so he is forced to do farming and buffalo rearing.

Another individual, Sheik Islam Miya, mentioned that the horse cart, which has been in operation across various Tarai locations since ancient times, used to be an ornament from villages to cities. “However, its utility has diminished recently with the introduction of various types of motor vehicles,” he said. 

He said that after the use of the horse cart decreased, he left his old profession and started a business to sell chicken to run his family.

Due to the lack of proper road infrastructure, travellers previously opted for horse carts in areas with dilapidated roads or where cars couldn't reach them. 

However, traditional means of transportation like horse carts are now being replaced after the roads were upgraded or built, he added.