109,636 people have left Kathmandu Valley since Ghatasthapana: Traffic police

KATHMANDU: A total of 109,636 people have left Kathmandu Valley since Ghatasthapana on Sunday, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office (KVTPO) said on Tuesday.

KVTPO reported those passengers travelled in 17,139 vehicles between Ghatasthapana and Tuesday. Of those leaving the valley, 41,946 were female and 67,690 were male, KVTPO Chief Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle said.

Residents who had been living in the valley for study, work or business have begun returning to their home districts to celebrate Dashain, increasing activity at major entry and exit points. Departures continued through checkpoints including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Bhaktapur and Bhattedanda, and officers were giving special attention to managing vehicular movement at these locations, the KVTPO said.

Kafle said passenger pressure on both long‑distance and short‑distance public transport had been steadily rising and that traffic police were working to reduce accidents and ease congestion. He said: "Traffic police are deployed on the roads round-the-clock for passenger safety and the reduction of vehicle accidents. Our objective is to ensure that everyone's journey is successful and safe."

The Department of Transport Management reported two‑way traffic on major routes including the Nagdhunga–Naubise section, Muglin–Narayangadh Road, Kanti Highway and BP Highway, which is expected to help passengers reach their destinations despite heavier traffic at transit points.

Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs President Punya Prasad Sitaula urged travellers to allow extra time for journeys and to follow safety measures. He said: "With the increase in the number of passengers returning home for Dashain, additional pressure is evident on roads leaving the valley and on public transport. In such circumstances, adherence to traffic rules, safe speeds, and vehicle operation according to passenger capacity are being maintained."

Authorities warned that passenger numbers are likely to rise further as Dashain approaches, increasing the challenge of ensuring safe and convenient travel during the festival period.