The government and transport entrepreneurs have agreed to continue the advance booking of public transport tickets, placing the responsibility on transport operators to take decision based on road conditions. Although heavy rains have subsided, transporters initially sought to halt advance bookings due to ongoing landslides on major highways leading to and from the valley.
On Tuesday, the Department of Transport Management (DOTM) convened a meeting after transport entrepreneurs expressed concerns over the safety of passengers amid the current condition of roads. The DOTM, Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE), Labour Union, Valley Police Division, and other concerned agencies decided to keep advance bookings open, but tickets will only be issued after evaluating road safety. Advance bookings, which began on September 28 for the festive season, were disrupted as some passengers who booked in advance were unable to travel due to floods and landslides across the country.
With the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) forecasting more rain from Wednesday, transporters were uncertain about continuing advance bookings. A representative at the meeting said that stakeholders agreed on a middle-ground approach. Ishwori Datta Paneru, an information officer at the DOTM, stated that transport operators were advised to sell tickets only after assessing the road conditions. This decision was made to ensure passengers' safety and prevent any potential risks.
The decision emphasizes that while some roads remain blocked due to persistent rain, priority will be given to passengers who have already purchased tickets. Transporters are advised to sell more advance tickets only for routes deemed safe after reviewing safety information from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Many passengers who had booked in advance were stranded due to road closures, and with landslides ongoing, transport entrepreneurs have pushed to stop bookings, especially as the DHM predicts further heavy rain.
Additionally, authorities have requested that transporters avoid nighttime travel on the Mugling-Narayangadh road section, which is particularly dangerous. FNNTE President Bijay Bahadur Swar expressed doubts about passengers being able to reach their destinations due to the government's inability to manage road conditions and growing unrest in the transport sector. He noted, "That is why we considered halting ticket bookings. However, the stakeholders' meeting decided to adjust ticketing based on the situation."
The BP Highway remains blocked by floods and landslides, leaving 600 vehicles stranded. Despite drivers calling for food, supplies have not been delivered.
As per the decision, passenger buses departing from Kathmandu must adjust their schedules based on the condition of the Kathmandu-Narayangadh road section, which remains hazardous. Security agencies will assist with traffic management.
In light of past incidents, including the July 12 landslide in the Simaltal area of the Mugling-Narayangadh section, which swept two buses into the Trishuli River, resulting in the loss of many lives, it was also decided that public vehicles operating on medium and long-distance routes should carry essential first-aid supplies, drinking water, and food for passengers.