Kathmandu, October 13
The number of passengers leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns has begun to rise as Dashain approaches, with people working, studying and running businesses in the capital returning home to celebrate the festival with their families.
Passenger traffic has increased at major exit points across the valley, with long- and short-distance public transport services seeing growing numbers of people travelling to different districts.
Ravindra Khanal, deputy superintendent of police at the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, told the National News Agency (RSS) that 56,809 passengers left the valley through various exit points in the 24 hours from Monday morning to Tuesday morning.
Of the total, 27,649 passengers left through Nagdhunga, while 20,615 exited through the Bhaktapur route. Another 5,510 left through Pharping, 972 through Teenpiple, 886 through Bhattedanda, 608 through Sankhu, 513 through Bhimdhunga and 56 through Thankot.
The rising number of Dashain travellers has made passenger management increasingly difficult for transport operators.
Dekanath Gautam, general secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, said damaged highways had disrupted transport operations.
“Several national highways have deteriorated ahead of Dashain, making it difficult for vehicles to reach their destinations on time and return to Kathmandu. This has created problems in managing vehicles,” he said.
Gautam said transport operations had also been affected after a section of the Prithvi Highway at Galaundi in Dhading subsided on October 9, the day advance bus ticket bookings opened, leaving many vehicles stranded in Kathmandu and disrupting services.
The federation has urged passengers to travel only with valid tickets, pay the prescribed fares and check the condition of vehicles before beginning their journeys.
Every year, people living in the capital for employment, education and business return to their hometowns for Dashain, a major festival that brings families, relatives and communities together.
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