सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Ramechhap. Chhatra Bahadur Karki of Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-5 in Dolakha has been doing business in the cave of Bhorle Bhir in the same ward for 29 years.
After the construction of the Khimti Hydropower Project in Devitar in 2052 BS, the people of Ramechhap and Sindhuli started traveling from Manthali to Kathmandu via Khimti via this road, so he started the business of ‘Chia Chamena’.
The business that Karki started at that time from the cave has now been modified by adding a zinc roof. 64-year-old Karki said that he is supporting his family of nine, including five daughters and two sons, with the income from the shop in the cave. After facing problems in earning a living, he returned home after working as a wage laborer for 18 years in Siliguri, India, earning some money.
The cave shop he started at that time is now providing him with a comfortable livelihood. Karki informed that the shop in the den sells groceries, tea, snacks and even food if requested.
‘The Barapipal tree planted here at that time has now become a square for Sittal to live in, while bamboo groves are spreading, and even fruits such as bananas, mangoes and other fruits are causing trouble even when they are ripe,’ he said.
Karki said that he came here in search of an alternative after the crops grown on four/five aanas of land were not enough to eat for three months. He mentioned that he bought six aanas of land in Tamakoshi-5 from this business and built an earthquake-resistant two-room adobe house.
Karki, who has married all her children, runs a shop and does household chores on the support of her 62-year-old wife, Dambar Kumari. “Five daughters have been married and sent home, the eldest of the two sons has also been married, the youngest is in Kathmandu,” said Karki.
Says that the shop used to do business from 2,500 to 10,000 per day in the initial phase, but now the sales are only 5-600 per day as customers are looking for modern accommodation and food.
Karki said that his business has increased as vehicles coming from Kathmandu to various parts of Ramechhap, Dolakha, Solu and Sindhuli were operated via Pushpalal Road after the Roshi River blocked the BP Highway due to the flood on Asoj 12.
BP Highway He said that after the Khurkot bridge was put into operation and built, business has increased again. He said that even the 2072 BS earthquake did not cause any damage to the shops in the cave under the cave.
‘The ward and municipality have repeatedly requested people not to live here due to the risk of earthquakes. It is not too late to move from here, as we have been doing business here for a long time and have already rebuilt some structures,’ he said.
Karki complained that electricity is still not connected to the cave despite repeated attempts, but the Electricity Authority has not provided poles and meters since they are temporary residents on public land. For this reason, he believes that he will not be able to stay late in the evening and business will also decrease.
‘Seven of the bamboos I planted have sprouted, so it is time to sell them. The bamboo and peepal trees have grown and become a square for the Sittal to sit on. Bananas, mangoes and other fruits have started to grow. I don’t feel like leaving this place and going anywhere,’ said Karki. He says that if the local government arranges for electricity, it will be easier to do business.
Most people who travel along this road in private vehicles only have tea and snacks at the shop here and talk to Karki before heading towards their destination.
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