KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 10
The number of people leaving Kathmandu valley has started increasing as the greatest festival of Nepali Hindus, Bada Dashain, is approaching. The number of travellers entering and leaving the valley from October 1 to 7 was equal. At present, the number of outbound passengers is increasing, according to the Metropolitan Traffic Police.
So far, more than one lakh people have officially left Kathmandu, as per police record. Chief of the Division Senior Superintendent of Police Janak Bhattarai said that the number of outbound passengers was gradually increasing and that the number would increase after the public holidays start this Tuesday.
As per details received, the number of entrants was 42,226 and the number of exits was 41,484. After that, the pressure of outbound passengers has increased. The number of passengers had increased to 43,439 from 38,749 on September 30. After that, the number of outbound passengers has gradually increased.
As many as 34,146 passengers entered the valley in 7,280 vehicles on October 7, whereas 45,362 passengers left in 7,814 vehicles on the same day. According to the statistics provided by the Division, 32,984 passengers had entered the valley in 6,778 vehicles on Friday. On the same day, about 52,000 passengers left the valley in 7,315 vehicles.
Police Inspector Jitesh Dahal said that the trend of reserving small vehicles with friends or family and going home had increased this time. This time, advance ticket sales for passenger bus was opened on September 25. Even now, the pressure of passengers to buy tickets online or in-person is high. Police have set up a passenger help desk at the main intersections of Kathmandu valley.
Nepal police has implemented special security plan in all 77 districts to maintain law and order during the festivals.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 11, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.