Transport service providers charge 4 times more to drop passengers from Trinagar border

Dhangadhi : Laxman Devkota of Kailali's Lamkichuha Municipality reached Trinagar border area from Delhi, India on Wednesday morning.

He was unable to get a ride from Doke Bazar until noon. The car rental demanded Rs 800 as fare from Trinagar border to Lamkichuha. Bargaining between the returnees and the transport providers has been on-going at the border. 

"I found a car, but he demanded Rs 800 and I refused to pay that amount and reached out to the police for help. However, the police asked me to wait for another ride and kept me waiting until evening to get a ride. The transport providers have been found charging Rs 3500 from Baitadi to Khodpe and Anarkholi. The returnees are compelled to pay more than the regular fare to get to their villages. Many returnees have paid upto Rs 5,000 as fare to Bajhang, Baitadi, Darchula and other districts. 

Bhoj Raj Oli of Navdurga Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 of Dadeldhura said that the returnees coming from India are suffering at the border. He said, "I thought the government was helping us with rides. But instead the drivers are taking arbitrary rent. Nobody has been looking into this matter. The transport providers are charging Rs 18,000 from five people to get to Anarkholi, Baitadi. There is no water facility even at the border.” Various transport businesses are taking turns on alternate days to drop-off passengers. 

We had agreed to increase the fair by 50% to drop  passengers to their destinations, said Padam Sapkota, chairman of Sundar Sudurpashchim Transport Authority. However, the service providers have been found charging 4 times more than the actual rate. 

Chief District Officer of Kailali, Yagya Raj Bohara, said that the administration has also received complaints regarding the transport service providers. 

He said, "There have been complaints of overcharging. The service providers have been warned otherwise action will be taken. The transport service providers have agreed to operate on alternate days and take turns. They have been asked to charge the amount set by the government. 

Until public transport operates smoothly, it will be difficult for the general public to travel. As only limited number of vehicles can be operated now, no social distance has been maintained while traveling and no vigilance has been adopted while searching for passengers in the border area.