KATHMANDU: Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Management, Prakash Jwala, vowed smooth public transportation during the coming festivals — Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. Prior to these festivals, the country has witnessed a surge in road and air transport.
During a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Minister Jwala informed that the government would pay special attention to ensuring commuter-friendly public transport despite limited resources. "The Government is committed to necessary coordination and facilitation among the related bodies for repair and upgrading of the highways and auxiliary roads in view of the festivals," he reminded.
According to him, the road repair was however disturbed due to incessant rainfall. The ministry will ensure hassle-free travel of the people from cities to villages and return to cities again, he assured.
It is estimated that at least 1.5 million people will be leaving Kathmandu Valley for different districts during Dashain festival this year.
In the meeting, committee members Thakur Gaire, Mahesh Basnet, Pratima Gautam, Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Madhav Sapkota, among others urged the government to provide necessary budget for the repair and upgrading of roads so that it would help ensure convenient and hassle-free travel.
The government was also made aware of the possible incidents of fleecing bus passengers by the highway eateries on the run-up to festivals.
