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Motorized boats have begun operating along the Saptakoshi River, connecting the famous Barahakshetra Temple in Barahakshetra Municipality–1 of Sunsari with Kopche in Hatuwagadhi–9 of Bhojpur. The new service has made religious tourism, local travel, and the sale and transport of agricultural goods much easier for residents on both banks of the river.

The ‘Makalu Motorboat’ has been launched on the Barahakshetra–Kopche route, a section long considered dangerous because of the Saptakoshi’s swift current. The operation, jointly approved by the Sunsari and Bhojpur district administrations, offers locals a safer and faster alternative to traditional crossings.

Sunsari Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said permission was granted after officials conducted a detailed inspection of the river and found no legal or physical obstacles.

A fare of Rs 500 has been fixed for the approximately six-kilometer journey between Barahakshetra and Kopche. Locals say the new route has significantly reduced both time and cost. “Now we can reach Dharan and Itahari much faster,” said Debhang Rai of Hatuwagadhi. “It has also become easier to take our fruits and vegetables to market and sell them.”

Since the launch of the service, the number of domestic and foreign visitors to Barahakshetra has increased noticeably. Devotees now combine their temple visits with scenic motorboat rides along the Koshi, enjoying both religious rituals and the river’s natural beauty.

Boat operator Anis Thapa said a new and safer route was chosen because of the strong current at Trisule Ghaghi, located upstream of Chatara.

To ensure passenger safety, Chief Police Inspector Divash Kunwar of the Area Police Office, Mahendranagar, said authorities have instructed operators to provide life jackets for every passenger and to maintain strict vigilance during operation.

According to Nawaraj Bist, a resident of Chatara, the motorboat service has not only boosted religious tourism but also invigorated the local economy. “We’re seeing more people in local hotels, shops, and guesthouses. It’s also become easier for pilgrims visiting Barahakshetra to cross the Saptakoshi,” he said.

With the service now in operation, residents from riverbank settlements in Bhojpur, Udayapur, and Dhankuta have started using the motorboats as a convenient new mode of transportation across the Saptakoshi.

Thai Air Asia has resumed flights from Bangkok to Bhairahawa and back to Bangkok from today.

An Airbus 320 from Bangkok with 17 passengers on board landed at the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa at 12:15 pm today.

Likewise, the plane carrying 162 people returned to Bangkok from Bhairahawa at 1:15pm, said Binod Singh Rawat, the information officer at GBIA.

According to him, Thai Air Asia will operate flights twice a week on the Bangkok–Bhairahawa–Bangkok route. The airline has obtained permission for regular flights every Sunday and Wednesday.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 5. 19 points to close at 2, 509. 05 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0. 60 points to close at 437. 00 points.

A total of 5,596,077-unit shares of 313 companies were traded for Rs 2. 66 billion.

Meanwhile, 10.75% SBL Debenture 2089 (SBLD89) was the top gainers today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Taragaon Regency Hotel Limited (TRH) was the top loser as its price fell by 7. 16 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 42 trillion.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 11, 600 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 241, 900 per tola today.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 015 per tola.