Locals compelled to pay charges for tuin to cross Loti River

By Rajan Raut,Humla, Nov. 13: Travellers crossing the Loti River, located one kilometre east of Piplang, centre of Chankheli Rural Municipality–4, are forced to pay a fare for using the tuin (metal cable) to get across the river. 

Due to the absence of a bridge over the Loti River, the fare is charged to facilitate crossings for both people and goods.

Local Santosh Bohara said that the rope system, built by a local in Piplang, charges separate fees for passengers, motorcycles and other items. Bohara, who recently travelled with an eight-member group from Simkot to Rara on motorcycles, said that they had to pay for crossing both passengers and motorcycles on the tuin.

He said that the fare for transporting one motorcycle is Rs. 1,500, with each crossing taking about 20 minutes. Roads are constructed on both sides of the Loti River, allowing motorcycles to operate across the region.

After getting the motorcycle across the river, travellers can continue onward to Simkot, Deuli and even as far as Mugu district. Motorcyclists, without any other options, are compelled to pay the high fare for the cable crossing.

For passengers, the fare is set at Rs. 100 per person. Tuin operator Jagate Shahi said that he constructed and operates the cable crossing at his own expense due to the necessity. He takes charge to recover the investment, he said.

Local officials, including Rural Municipality Chairperson Pyari Lal Shahi and Vice-Chairperson Prem Kala Shahi, have also been using the cable. This cable crossing has been in operation for the past one and a half years.