BIRENDRANAGAR, Oct 12: Nepal Police have introduced a special security plan across all 10 districts of Karnali Province to prevent road accidents and ensure safe travel during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath as passenger numbers rise during the festive season.
Under the plan prepared by the Nepal Police Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office in Surkhet, police will intensify checks to control drunk driving, speeding, overloading, carrying passengers beyond vehicle capacity, reckless driving and improper parking.
Police will be deployed along major highways, entry and exit points, accident-prone locations and high-risk road sections, said Mukunda Prasad Rijal, superintendent of police and chief of the office.
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Rijal has personally inspected the bus park and key routes, including Bangemsimal, the main gateway to the Karnali Highway; Kapase, the road leading to Dailekh; and Dhuliyabिट and Subbakuna, which connect to Jajarkot, Salyan and Nepalgunj.
In fiscal year 2025/26, Karnali’s 10 districts recorded 1,197 road accidents, killing 135 people and injuring 2,305. In the previous fiscal year, 968 accidents claimed 139 lives.
The plan covers Surkhet, Dailekh, Salyan, Jajarkot, West Rukum, Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpa and Humla. Regular and special checks will be conducted across all districts.
Police will inspect vehicles for alcohol consumption and other traffic violations in market areas from 6 pm to 2 am, with additional checks and surprise patrols at other times as needed.
Passenger assistance desks will be established at major bus parks and other busy locations to address complaints involving excessive fares, ticket fraud, passenger grievances and lost belongings.
Police will also monitor whether long-distance vehicles have two drivers, as required, along with vehicle conditions, driver fatigue and passenger capacity.
The plan includes deploying quick response teams in the event of accidents, coordinating with ambulances and health facilities, and clearing road obstructions to facilitate rescue operations.