Bamboo bridge earning good income in Morang

BY HARI PRASAD KOIRALA,Urlabari, Mar. 21: The development of roads reaching the plains and mountains has disrupted the traditional business of transporting goods using yaks, mules, horses and porters. However, despite the construction of a suspension bridge over the Bakraha River, connecting Kaseni and Sunwarsi Maharajthan in Ratuwamai Municipality-5 of Morang district, the ferry business of Yunus Mohammad, who has been operating a makeshift bridge for years, continues to thrive.

Yunus, from Ratuwamai-6, built his first makeshift bridge over the Bakraha River 28 years ago. The then-District Development Committee had called for tenders to construct a ferry bridge, but since no one else had the skill to build a 200-metre-long bridge, Yunus secured the contract every year. He not only constructed ferry bridges in Bakraha but also in the Das, Mawa and Ratuwa rivers. His business revolved around setting up bamboo ferry bridges at the end of the rainy season, starting mid-September. In rainy season, boats are used to cross the river. 

Five years ago, a 350-metre-long suspension bridge was constructed over the Bakraha River. After the bridge was built, Yunus along with 11 family members, sought alternative sources of income. They tried farming to make a living. However, even after the suspension bridge was built, locals continued to request Yunus to maintain the ferry bridge. As a result, Yunus is maintaining the transporter bridge till date.

Yunus said, “The suspension bridge is too narrow. Because it is long, a passenger coming from one side cannot see another coming from the opposite direction. Bicycles and pedestrians can pass easily, but motorcycles struggle. City safari vehicles and tempos cannot cross the suspension bridge at all.”

Until five years ago, there were no city safari vehicles or tempos in the villages. However, now that paved roads have reached every village, these vehicles are also available locally. Yunus added, “The bridge is busier now than before. We previously had to pay taxes to the District Development Committee, but now there’s no tax. I charge Rs. 50 for tempos and city safari vehicles, Rs. 30 for motorcycles and Rs. 10 for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the ferry bridge.” Even with the suspension bridge in place, people still prefer to use his bridge and pay willingly. Manoj Tajpuriya, traveling from Govindapur to Sunwarsi on a motorcycle, said, “It’s much harder to cross the river from the suspension bridge with a motorcycle. The motorcycle gets stuck in the middle. Paying Rs. 30 saves time and reduces the risk.”

Building the ferry bridge costs Rs. 80,000. More than 10 tempos and city safari vehicles, 20-25 motorcycles and 50-60 people cross the bridge daily. This time, Yunus has doubled his investment in the bridge and he is confident it will not result in a loss. He said that his daily income averages Rs. 2,000 and on farmers' market days, it can go up to Rs. 5,000.

Meanwhile, Bhul Bahadur Karki (Aashish), spokesperson for Ratuwamai Municipality, stated that the ferry bridge was built without the municipality’s permission. “We have not given approval for the bridge. However, since there is a local need, we cannot demolish it.”