Ferry service resumes in Arun River

By Gokul Bhujel

Bhojpur, Oct. 28: Ferry services have resumed on the Arun River at Satighat, linking the northern regions of Shadanand Municipality and Salpasilichho Rural Municipality of Bhojpur district with the Tarai through Sankhuwasabha.

The service had been suspended since June 30 after water levels in the river surged due to heavy rainfall. With the flow now receding, the ferry has resumed operation.

According to Deputy Mayor Pramila Rai of Shadananda Municipality, the local government has been managing and operating the ferry, which serves as a vital and alternative means of transportation for vehicles, daily essentials, food grains, raw materials, and passengers in the northern part of the district.

“The ferry was constructed and is being operated with funding support of Rs. 7.5 million each from the Federal and Provincial Constituency Development Funds and Rs. 5.5 million from the municipality,” Deputy Mayor Rai said.

The ferry can transport over 100 vehicles of various sizes daily, with the capacity to carry up to four vehicles, goods, and passengers at a time.

In the absence of ferry service, locals were compelled to use the newly completed Kattike road, an arduous and winding route that takes several hours. However, the road connecting Kattike to Tumlingtar remains in poor condition, with potholes and sections at risk of collapse, making travel hazardous.

Efforts to construct a permanent bridge over the Arun River at Satighat have been ongoing for years, but no progress has been achieved so far. As a result, locals continue to endure hardship during the monsoon season.