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.
