Rautahat, October 6

At a time when the ongoing general strike in the Tarai has affected people, a few local youths of Chandranigahapur Municipality, Rautahat, have taken advantage of the bandh by ferrying passengers on their bikes in return for a fare.

Not a single vehicle has plied on the 42 km Chandranigahapur-Gaur road section of the East-West highway owing to the protracted general strike for the past 53 days. Local youths, however, have been ferrying passengers on their bikes and charg a huge amount from them.

A single bike rider, it is said, carries up to three persons and charges up to Rs 1,000 from a single passenger for a distance of 42 km.

Nabin Singh of Gaur said “Yes, it is a risky ride and paying Rs 1,000 to cover the distance is way too high, but what could I do as it is festive season and I have to reach my home.” He added that many people like him, trying to reach home or other destinations, have no option but to opt for expensive bike service.

Similar is the plight of Abnish Jha, another Gaur resident, who was preparing to go to the Capital on an emergency errand. “I had no option other than the bike ride,” said Jha, expressing his concern about the hassles the public have been facing due to the government’s failure to resolve the ongoing issues.

In the absence of vehicles, bikes awaiting passengers can be seen at the long-route bus stand of Gaur and Chandranigahapur.