KATHMANDU: The number of people leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns to celebrate Bada Dashain has been increasing as the festival approaches.
People living in the capital for education, employment and other professional pursuits have begun returning to their villages in large numbers to celebrate the festival with their families and relatives.
Passenger traffic has increased at various exit points in the Kathmandu Valley, with more people travelling to different districts by both long- and short-distance public transport.
According to Rabindra Khanal, deputy superintendent of police at the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 78,138 passengers left Kathmandu between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning to celebrate Dashain.
Since the beginning of Ghatasthapana, a total of 187,774 passengers have left the Valley by public transport. According to the Traffic Police Office, 52,827 passengers left Kathmandu on Asoj 25 and 56,809 on Asoj 26.
Passengers have been leaving the Valley through various routes, including Pharping, Nagdhunga, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Jagati in Bhaktapur and Bhattedanda in Lalitpur.
The growing number of passengers returning home for Dashain has posed challenges for transport operators in managing services, particularly amid poor road conditions.
Rajendra Acharya, treasurer of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs and president of the Nepal Microbus Company, said damaged roads had disrupted vehicle operations.
“Several national highways have been damaged just as Dashain travel has picked up. Vehicles are facing difficulties reaching their destinations and returning to Kathmandu on time, creating problems in managing transport services,” he said.
So far, 130,129 passengers have booked advance tickets for Dashain. According to the Traffic Police Office, 21,300 passengers booked tickets on Asoj 23, while 76,079 did so on Asoj 24 and 25 combined. Another 17,197 passengers booked tickets on Asoj 26 and 15,553 on Asoj 27.
The transport federation has urged passengers to travel only after purchasing tickets, paying the prescribed fares and checking the condition of their vehicles before departure.
Dashain strengthens bonds among family members, relatives and communities. As in previous years, the number of people living in the capital for education and employment who return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival has continued to rise.