Advance ticket booking for the upcoming festivals, including Bada Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, will begin this Saturday. The Department of Transport Management took a decision to this effect during a meeting on Tuesday to ensure smooth traffic management during the festivals, a period marked by significant travel.
The meeting, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Roads, Nepal Police, Traffic Police, and transport entrepreneurs, focused on improving road safety and convinience for passengers traveling in and out of the Kathmandu Valley.
Ishwori Dutta Paneru, director and spokesperson for the Department of Transport Management, stated that public transport operators have agreed to open advance bookings for medium and long-distance travel starting this Saturday. He added that efforts will be made to promote online ticket booking to streamline the process and further assist passengers.
To ensure passenger safety, only those with valid tickets will be allowed to board buses. Additionally, vehicles will be required to carry passenger identity details.
Paneru also mentioned that drivers and helpers would be responsible for managing overcrowding at highway eateries, and strict measures would be in place to prevent unauthorized ticket sales from unregistered counters.
The authorities have also been urged to repair key roads to ensure smooth traffic during the festivals. From October 3 to October 17, heavy-duty vehicles, such as trailers, will be restricted from operating between Narayanghat and Kathmandu to manage the high volume of traffic.
Route permits for passenger vehicles will be issued nationwide from Ghatasthapana (the first day of Dashain) to Purnima (the last day of Dashain). However, certain road sections will be restricted for specific types of vehicles due to road conditions.
Routine checks will be conducted on public transport drivers, particularly monitoring for alcohol and narcotics consumption. If a driver is found intoxicated, transport companies will be required to provide a replacement.
Citizen Help Desks will be established at various locations, including Nagdhunga, Kalanki, Swayambhu, Halchowk, Machhapokhari, Naya Buspark, Chabahil, Tilganga, Koteshwor, Jagati, Satdobato, Balkhu, Dakshinkali, Sundhara, and Sanga, in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Bishwaraj Khadka, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, reaffirmed that strict checks will be enforced to ensure road safety and efficiency for passengers traveling during the festive season. -- RSS