Bihar’s unique bazaar of boats draws buyers even from Nepal

By Manoj Pathak

Begusarai (Bihar), July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the onset of monsoon, a special market for the sale and purchase of boats is set up in Garhpura of Bihar's Begusarai district, which is also visited by people from neighbouring Nepal.

Boats are bought and sold in many such areas in North Bihar, however, the boats sold at Garhpura market are considered to be very strong, durable, and of superior quality.

The builders of the boats, mostly from the Badhai (carpenter) community, here say that the construction work starts from April and May. There are many types of boats, depending upon their shape and size.

Ramuday Sharma, who has been building the boats for years, says the work has been going on here for decades and the market is famous because of that. He said that most of the people prefer wooden boats made of jamun wood as it is quite durable and long lasting.

Hareram Sharma, who is involved in the business, says that the price of a boat starts from Rs 9,000 and can go up to Rs 25,000.

He said that the inflation has also affected the boat business. People associated with the business claim that the sale of boats gains momentum during June-July. As many as 2,000 to 2,500 boats are sold in this season. People start ordering boats from March onwards. Many people purchase boats from here and sell them in the flood affected areas, where they get good money for them.

It is claimed that at least 10 to 15 boats are constructed and sold every day from here.

It is noteworthy that as soon as the water level of Kosi, Bagmati, Kamala, Mahananda and other rivers in North Bihar and Seemanchal starts rising, many areas of Saharsa, Madhubani, Supaul, Katihar, Purnia, Begusarai, Khagaria, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur get submerged. After this the boat is the only means for transport for the people residing there. Also, there are many areas of Bihar where boats are the only means of transport.

It is said that buyers from Nepal also come here to buy boats. These buyers carry the boat with them through tractor trolleys, trucks, and wherever rivers meet, they sail it in the river.

Source: IANS