KATHMANDU: The number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Bada Dashain with their families is increasing daily. Since Ghatasthapana, 576,578 people have left the Valley.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the passengers left the Valley in 79,676 vehicles. As Dashain approaches, the number of passengers at the Valley’s main exit points has increased, with people who live in Kathmandu for education, employment and other professions returning to their hometowns and villages.
Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), said that 227,755 women and 348,823 men had left the Valley. He added that the number of people traveling home for Dashain was rising on both long- and short-distance public transport services.
The growing number of people leaving the Valley has increased vehicle movement at major exit points. Passengers heading to various districts are traveling by public buses and other vehicles.
According to the traffic police, people are continuing to leave the Valley through checkpoints including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Bhaktapur and Bhattedanda. With passenger numbers rising at these points, traffic police have stepped up efforts to manage vehicle movement.
Kafle said traffic police personnel had been deployed on roads around the clock to ensure passenger safety and minimize traffic accidents during major festivals, including Dashain and Tihar.
He said surveillance had been intensified to facilitate travel, manage increasing traffic pressure and reduce the risk of accidents. “Traffic police personnel are deployed on the roads around the clock to ensure passenger safety and reduce traffic accidents. Our aim is to ensure that everyone reaches their destination safely,” he said.
During the festive season, long-distance travelers should pay close attention to vehicle conditions, drivers’ health and driving hours. Taking necessary precautions by both passengers and drivers can help reduce the risk of accidents.
Dashain is one of Nepal’s major cultural and family festivals, prompting people from across the country to return home for celebrations. As residents who have been living in the Valley for education, employment and business return to their hometowns and villages, activity has increased on roads, at bus parks and at the capital’s exit points.