KATHMANDU, Oct 13: More than 109,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley so far to celebrate Dashain with their families, as the number of people returning to their hometowns continues to rise ahead of the major Hindu festival.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 109,636 people left the valley in 17,139 vehicles between Ghatasthapana and Tuesday.
As Dashain approaches, people who live in the valley for education, employment and business are returning to their hometowns, increasing passenger traffic at major exit points.
Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said the departing passengers included 41,946 women and 67,690 men. He added that passenger numbers had increased on both long- and short-distance public vehicles.
Related story
Around 50,000 passengers leaving Kathmandu Valley for hometown...
Passengers are leaving for various districts by public buses and other vehicles. The traffic police office has reported increased movement at major exit points, including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Bhaktapur and Bhattedanda.
Traffic police have stepped up monitoring and are focusing on managing vehicle movement at these locations as more people leave the valley for the festival. Authorities expect the number of departing passengers to rise further as families prepare to celebrate Dashain together.
The seasonal rush has also increased the challenge of ensuring safe and convenient travel. Kafle said traffic police personnel will be deployed round the clock during Dashain, Tihar and other festivals to protect passengers and reduce road accidents.
“Our traffic police personnel are deployed on the roads 24 hours a day to ensure passenger safety and reduce road accidents. Our goal is to make everyone’s journey safe and successful,” he said.
Kafle urged people travelling along long-distance routes to check vehicle conditions, consider drivers’ health and ensure drivers have adequate rest. He said passengers and drivers could help prevent accidents by exercising caution.
According to the Department of Transport Management, traffic is currently operating in both directions on major routes, including the Nagdhunga–Naubise section, Mugling–Narayanghat road, Kanti Highway and BP Highway.
With traffic continuing on these major routes, authorities expect passengers to reach their destinations, although congestion at key exit points could lengthen travel times.
Punya Prasad Sitoula, chair of the Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs, advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.
“As the number of people returning home for Dashain increases, roads leading out of the valley and public transport services are likely to face additional pressure,” he said, adding that transport operators must follow traffic rules, maintain safe speeds and carry passengers within vehicle capacity.
Dashain is one of Nepal’s major festivals, prompting people from across the country to return to their hometowns. As residents who live in Kathmandu for education, employment and business leave for their villages and home districts, activity has increased on the capital’s roads, at bus parks and at major exit points.