Karnali residents await ferry resumption for Dashain

Communities residing across the Karnali River within the northeastern section of Bajura district are currently waiting for ferry operations to resume. Local inhabitants require the water transport to move food grains and other necessary supplies in larger quantities from area markets to their villages for the upcoming Dashain festival. Although a suspension bridge allows individuals to cross the waterway on foot without difficulty, residents continue to rely heavily on the ferry when hauling bulk commodities. According to Dan Bahadur Rokaya, moving merchandise would become significantly simpler if the watercraft operating on the Karnali River started running again. The ferry service was initially established along the Karnali River a few years prior by Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality. However, the water transport has remained non-operational since June and has yet to restart its daily route, leaving local populations facing considerable difficulties as the festival period approaches.