Kathmandu : Route permits will remain open across the country from Ghatasthapana (first day of the Dashain festival) to Kojagrat Purnima (final day of 15-day festival) to facilitate the movement of passengers, particularly those travelling to their hometowns for the festival.
A meeting held on Tuesday at the Department of Transport Management, attended by representatives of the Nepal Police, traffic police, transport entrepreneurs and other stakeholders, decided to keep route permits open throughout the Dashain festival (October 11-25).
The meeting also decided to open advance ticket bookings for Dashain travel from October 9, according to Punya Prasad Sitoula, Central President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.
He said that passenger vehicles would be given priority for operation, taking into account road conditions, while other vehicles would be allowed to operate thereafter.
The Department of Transport Management informed that efforts were being coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure effective transport management during Dashain festival, when large numbers of people travel from the Kathmandu Valley and other urban centres to their hometowns.
During the meeting, Department Director General Rajiv Pokharel said preparations for advance ticket booking and transport management were being made to ensure that passengers do not face unnecessary difficulties.
He expressed his confidence that such arrangements would make tickets easily accessible and help passengers reach their destinations safely.
During the meeting, the Department expressed its commitment to give special attention to transport operations, ticket management, road conditions and passenger safety in view of the expected surge in travel during the festival.
