Gaighat, March 25

Jet boat service has come into operation in the Saptakoshi River to carry devotees to Sunsari’s popular religious site Barah Kshetra.

Local youths have brought the jet boat into operation commercially in Saptakoshi in collaboration with Udayapur’s Belaka and Sunsari’s Barah Kshetra Municipality.

Belaka Municipality Mayor Durga Thapa said that eight youths had registered Barah Kshetra Transport and Tourism Service Company and started the jet boat service. Mayor Thapa said that the boat that arrived three days ago started its service from today. “We travelled in the boat on a test ride yesterday and the boat started its service from today,” said Thapa.

Jet boat owner Santosh Bhandari said that boat was brought into operation targeting the passengers from different parts of Bhojpur, Dhankuta and Udayapur. The boat was bought at the cost of Rs 30 million from India. “The jet boat has the capacity to ferry 30 people at a time,” Bhandari added. “Since the boat has the capacity to carry the weight of 3,500 kilograms, we keep 25 passengers and their luggage at one time,” he stated.

Sumnima Water Transport had operated jet boat in Saptakoshi five years ago but it soon stopped the service citing security reasons. The jet boat is expected to promote tourism in both Udayapur and Sunsari districts.