HETAUDA: People in eastern Tarai are compelled to take risky routes to reach their destinations as the highways are almost always obstructed by frequent bandhs and strikes.

Vehicles including buses, trucks and tractors are compelled to ply along narrow roads in Makwanpur, Sindhuli and Udaypur district due to the general strikes called by Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee in 22 Tarai districts. The vehicles which leave Hetauda have to pass thorough Chaughada, Hatiya, Harnamadi, Chhatiwan of Phaparbari of Makwanpur, Haripur and Sindhulimadi of Sindhuli district to reach Gaighat of Udaypur district, a driver of Miteri Yatayat said.

Nobody is concerned about the sorry state of alternative routes during normal times, however, they are compelled to drive along risky roads during bandhs and strikes, Badri Bahadur Pathak, a teacher in Makwanpur district said. Krishna Chaulagain of Chitwan said, "As the condition of the rood is very poor, the passengers traveling in the road have to face many difficulties." The vehicles have to travel 70 kilometers in Makwanpur and 170 kilometers in Sindhuli district to reach Udaypur, a driver said.

"Two dozens vehicles ply along the route these days," Gorkana Parajuli, former chairman of Narayani Yatayat Entrepreneurs Association said, adding, "If the road is maintained, it could be best alternative to link eastern Tarai with Makwanpur district."