56,809 people leave Kathmandu Valley for Dashain in 24 hours

KATHMANDU: Thousands of people have left the Kathmandu Valley in recent days to return to their ancestral homes for Dashain, the largest festival for Nepali Hindus and a time for family reunions.

Traffic checkpoints across the valley recorded a sharp rise in departures. Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal said that 56,809 people left Kathmandu through various checkpoints in the past 24 hours.

Figures from the traffic office showed 5,510 passengers at Pharping, 27,649 at Nagdhunga, 56 at Thankot, 513 at Bhimdhunga, 972 at Tinpiple, 608 at Sankhu, 20,615 at Bhaktapur and 886 at Bhattedanda.

Transport operators reported difficulties coping with the surge in travellers because of poor road conditions. Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) General Secretary Deknath Gautam said, "Various national highways are damaged on the eve of Dashain, so it is difficult to reach the destinations on time and with comfort."

He added that although advance ticket booking had been organised, an obstruction on the Prithvi Highway left many vehicles stranded and caused severe inconvenience to passengers.

The FNNTE has urged travellers to purchase tickets in advance, pay the fixed fare and check the condition of vehicles before setting off.

By RSS