Until 15 years ago, horse-cart operators would earn good money as their vehicle was the favorite transport for people headed for Rupadia, owing to affordability and availability. But times have changed.
Hasmi, 45, was proud to be giving continuity to his family occupation. But he is sure that his son Sadav, who studies at Modern Public Boarding School, will take up some other occupation when he grows up.
"Now I am tired of this occuption," says Hasmi caressing his horse that he bought for Rs 25,000. "I didn´t go to school. But my son is studying and he will find himself a good job doing something else."
His potential customers these barely notice his horse-cart. Customers prefer microbuses instead.
"Micros charge as much for a two-way journey as the horse-cart charges one-way," said Narayan Khatri, who was headed for Rupadia. "Who would choose the more expensive and slower transport?"
Thousands of people go to Rupaidia, located seven kilometers from Nepalgunj, for shopping every day. The availability of three-wheelers up to Jamunaha and microbuses up to Jayaspur customs have made horse-carts redundant.
Apart from the cost and lack of speed horse carts are also less safe.
Children of horse-cart operators are not interested in the occupation and also want their parents to quit.
The children of Sher Mohammed, 55, want him to quit the job. His elder son works for a non-governmental organization, while the younger son goes to school.
"These days, earning from the horse-cart is just enough to feed either the horse, or its operator," says Mohammed, who took up the occupation 20 years ago. After feeding the horse, the operators manage to save only about Rs 7,000 a month.
Shahadat Alisa, chairman of Nepal Cart Operators´ Association, Banke, said some 200 people operate horse-carts along the route. In recent years, many people quit the occupation, he said.
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