Business, normal life in Tarai hit hard as protests drag on

RAUTAHAT, Sept 11: The drawn-out protests of Madheshi Morcha against the proposed demarcations of federal provinces have worsened the hardships for locals in the Tarai districts. With the ongoing protests, rallies and shutdowns showing no signs of ending, the turmoil that has already stretched for 28 days is beginning to take serious toll in the region.

If the strikes in various parts of the region are not lifted anytime soon, residents may face acute shortage of food supply in a few days.Major markets, shops, factories and eateries have been severely hit by the shutdowns enforced by the protesters and curfews clamped by local government bodies. Even the education institutions along the East-West Highway and its vicinity have remained closed for several weeks now.

Papu Sah, the owner of Sapana Delux Transportation Service, said he had taken a few buses at lease to operate the transportation service, but now he is worried about paying back the accumulating debt. "I have been operating eight buses from Kathmandu to Gaur, Birgunj and Janakpur, but the continuing strikes are hurting my business. My monthly debt has doubled over the month. If the situation continues, I will not be able to pay the debt on time," said Sah.

According to Sanjay Prasad Sah, chairperson of Rajdev Transportation Service Committee, six of his buses have been lying idle for months now. "My debt is piling up as I have not been able to operate my buses for several weeks," said Sah.

There are over hundred other bus operators in the region and all of them are grappling with similar problems.

"On normal days, at least hundred buses leave Kathmandu for places such as Gaur, Chandranigahpur, Birgunj, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Dharan. This strike has affected bus operators and passengers alike," said Ramashankar Giri, chairperson of Rautahat Bus Transportation Committee.

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