It has been 55 years since Maharsingh Dhami, 78, of Dhamkudi in 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.

Dhami also used to work as a fisherman with Lok Bahadur Chand of Kulau in Baitadi. But following Chand’s demise 15 years ago, Dhami could not bring himself to go back to the Mahakali river.

He continues to live on the banks of the river he does not row his boat anymore. Now in his twilight years, he has given the boat to someone else. Over time, Dhami has witnessed numerous changes around the area. The boat ride which cost as little as Rs 0.40, has now risen to Rs 50.

What remains unchanged is the fact that the Pancheshwar hydropower project, which was intended to transform the lives of the locals, has not been constructed even after five decades.