Kathmandu : The volume of passengers leaving the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate the great Hindu festival of Dashain is increasing every day. Since Ghatasthapana, a total of 109,636 people have left from the Valley to their respective place of origin to be together with their extended family for the festivals.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 109,636 individuals have exited the Valley via 17,139 vehicles during this period.
As Dashain approaches, residents who have been living in the Kathmandu Valley for studies, employment, or various professions have begun returning to their hometowns, leading to increased passenger movement and congestion at the Valley’s major exit points.
Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Suresh Prasad Kafle, stated that the passengers leaving Kathmandu include 41,946 women and 67,690 men. He noted that the rush of passengers on both long- and short-distance public transport is intensifying as people head home for the festival.
With the rise in the number of passengers leaving the Valley for Dashain, vehicular traffic at the major exit points has become heavy. Travelers heading to various districts are departing for their destinations via public buses and other vehicles.
According to the Valley Traffic Police Office, the outflow of passengers continues through various entry and exit points, including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Teenpiple, Sankhu, Bhaktapur, and Bhattedanda. Traffic police are paying special attention to managing vehicular movement as the volume of passengers returning home for Dashain increases at these checkpoints.
The number of people leaving the valley to celebrate the festival with family and relatives is expected to rise further. With the surge in passenger numbers on public transport during the festive season, ensuring a safe and smooth journey for travelers has become an added challenge.
SSP Kafle stated that traffic police are deployed on the roads around the clock to ensure passenger safety and minimize traffic accidents during festivals like Dashain and Tihar. Traffic police have intensified road surveillance with the aim of facilitating passenger movement, managing traffic congestion, and minimizing potential accidents.
He emphasized that passengers undertaking long-distance journeys during the festive season should pay special attention to factors such as the condition of the vehicle, the driver’s health, and driving hours; he added that potential accidents can be reduced if both passengers and drivers exercise caution.
The Department of Transport Management has shared that traffic is currently operating in both directions on major road sections, including the Nagdhunga-Naubise, Muglin-Narayanghat, Kanti Lokpath, and BP Highway routes.
With the volume of passengers leaving the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain on the rise, the continued operation of traffic on these main roads is expected to facilitate smoother travel to their destinations. However, Punya Prasad Sitaula, President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, advised travelers to allocate ample time for their journeys, noting that travel times could be prolonged due to increased vehicle congestion at major checkpoints.
Dashain is a major cultural and family festival for Nepalis, prompting citizens from various parts of the country to return to their ancestral homes.
