The fare alone used to cost more than 7,000 rupees to reach Surkhet. He says that a year ago, it used to cost 3,000 to 18,000 rupees to reach Surkhet.
What you should know
Savita Pariyar from Humla reached Birendranagar in Surkhet on Friday. She came from Humla to go to Kathmandu. For the first time, she boarded a bus going directly to Kathmandu from near her home. Since the direct bus service from Humla to Kathmandu started just a few days ago, the citizens of Humla are going directly to Kathmandu.
Humla Hilsa Transport Pvt. Ltd. has started a bus service from Humla to Kathmandu. Savita says that she feels relieved after being able to travel in a single bus. Earlier, she had to change expensive fares and vehicles. She said, ‘Now this hassle has been removed.’ After initially operating one vehicle, other transports are also operating vehicles. The fare has been a great relief.’ She said that she had bought a ticket to Kathmandu for 6.500 rupees after paying double the fare.
Earlier, buses operating from Sarkegad to Surkhet and Nepalgunj also reached Simkot. Earlier, since the Humla road network was not fully connected to the national road, it was not possible to operate large buses. Simkot was connected to the national road with the inauguration of the Bailey Bridge bridge at Chuwakhola under the Karnali Corridor in Ashar last year.
The bus service to Kathmandu was started on Poush 1. The fare for Kathmandu has been fixed at 7,500, according to the District Traffic Police Office, Humla. Traffic Chief Rajesh Chaudhary informed that due to the road, it is difficult to operate regularly. According to him, earlier, buses returning from Sarkegad used to reach the headquarters. They also leave directly for Kathmandu.
Aganraj Pariyar of Chankheli Rural Municipality-3 said that it has become much easier after the bus operation. According to him, earlier, Bolero used to offer a free fare. After the bus started, we used to travel from Simkot to Surkhet for 5,000 and from Sarkegad for 2,500. He says, 'The first time I came to Surkhet, I walked for 3 days to reach Thirpu in Kalikot. And then I could finally board a vehicle for Surkhet. After that, I had to pay an expensive fare in a jeep.'
The fare used to cost only 7,000 more until I reached Surkhet. He says that since a year ago, it used to take 3,000 to 18 hours to reach Surkhet. He said that as the number of vehicles increased, there was competition and one started offering something cheaper than the other. He said that since buses started running, there have been fewer small vehicles.
More passengers go down to Humla than return. Angraj says that buses are filled with passengers who go down to the city, from those who want to escape the cold to those who go to India for employment. Vishal Rokaya, the operator of Hilsa Yatayat, said that a service from Humla to Kathmandu has been started a month ago. ‘We started the service for the first time,’ he said, ‘after that, the battalion’s bus service has also started from Simkot.’ Other transport buses return without reaching Simkot.'
He said that buses leave Simkot for Surkhet for 5,000, reach Nepalgunj for 5,500, and reach Kathmandu for 7500.
He said that buses that used to return only after reaching Sarkegad now reach Simkot. Local Bhim Pariyar said that after the bus service resumed, the obligation to change up to four jeeps has been removed. He said, 'From Surkhet, we had to take a jeep to Kalikot, then walk for half an hour. Then from Lalibagar to Thirpu, we had to change again at Tilechaur to reach home.'
The citizens of Humla have got convenience with the start of the bus service. But Angaraj says that the journey is difficult due to the road. Recalling the car journey, he said, 'The Karnali flows inside.' There is a road to Humla outside. After entering the Karnali Corridor, I did not look out the window until I reached home. My body aches for a week after reaching home. I feel like I have lost a few kilograms.’
