By Our Correspondent
Karnali, Apr. 3: Set up by the Nepal Army, the ferries operating along the Karnali Corridor have been collecting transportation charges. However, these ferries have been alleged of charging unreasonable prices much to the chagrin of vehicle drivers.
The price hike has been troubling drivers who have been using the ferry to load their trucks to cross the mighty river. A fortnight ago, the District Administration Office had agreed upon a certain sum for the vehicles; Rs. 800 for small vehicles, Rs. 1600 for trucks, and Rs. 3,000 for ten-tired trucks.
But the vehicle owners have complained that the ferry operator charges them more than the stipulated price.
Contractor Dharma Bahadur Shahi informed that drivers had to pay more than Rs. 3,000 to the ferry operators to let the vehicles pass. He added that the rule was to charge Rs. 1,600 for 13-tonne weight including the vehicle. But the army has been charging more than that. When denied, they would let only five-tonne weight pass through the ferry.
Petrol-pump owner Lilaraj Bam of Sannigadh reported that if an individual paid the unreasonable price, the army would allow 16 tonne weight to pass, else, they would allow only five. The ferry operation is given to the Nepal Army by the Karnali Corridor Construction.
Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Acharya has assured to look into the matter on having received multiple complaints. He reported that he had asked the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to publish the agreed-upon rate for the vehicles, but to no avail.
Army Captain Isap Chandra Katuwal said that he has been enraged to know that the operators have been taking benefit of his absence and charging more money. He claimed to keep the operators under surveillance from now onward.