Even after 3 decades, the Pancheshwar project is still showing no signs of progress

It has been 55 years since Maharsingh Dhami, 78, of Dhamkudi in Pancheshwar Rural Municipality -1 of Baitadi started living in a hut on the banks of the Mahakali river. Since he was 26, Dhame made a small living on the banks of the Mahakali as he took Nepalis across the river and dropped them off in India.

Over half a decade ago, Dhami charged people Rs 0.40 per person and an additional Rs 0.50 for their loads during the low tides month (October to May). The price went up significantly during the high tide months (June to October) as he charged people Rs 1.50 and Rs 2 for their loads. The rate for boat rides was approved by the then Dadeldhura district panchayat (a pseudo-governing body with a group of locally elected members) that oversaw many districts including Baitadi.