Over 56,000 people left the Kathmandu Valley in 24 hours to celebrate Dashain
KATHMANDU:- As Bada Dashain approaches, the volume of passengers leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns has begun to rise.
People who had been living in the capital for studies, employment, or various professions and businesses are now actively returning to their villages to celebrate the festival. Increased passenger activity is visible at the various exit points of the Kathmandu Valley, where long- and short-distance public transport vehicles depart for different districts across the country. The number of travelers heading home is growing as they travel to celebrate the festival with their families and relatives.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabindra Khanal of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office reported that 56,809 passengers left Kathmandu through various checkpoints to celebrate Dashain during the 24-hour period from Monday morning to this morning.
According to him, the breakdown of passengers leaving via the respective checkpoints is as follows: 5,510 via Pharping, 27,649 via Nagdhunga, 56 via Thankot, 513 via Bhimdhunga, 972 via Tinpiple, 608 via Sankhu, 20,615 via Bhaktapur, and 886 via Bhattedanda.
Transport operators are facing difficulties managing passengers as the number of people returning home for Dashain increases. Deknath Gautam, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, stated that poor road conditions have complicated transport management.
“With various national highways in poor condition on the eve of Dashain, vehicles are struggling to reach their destinations or arrive in Kathmandu on time, creating challenges for vehicle management,” he said.
General Secretary Gautam stated that difficulties arose on Ashwin 23—the day advance bus ticket bookings opened—when the Prithvi Highway at Galaudi, Dhading, caved in, disrupting traffic and leaving many vehicles stranded in Kathmandu.
The Federation has urged passengers to travel only after purchasing tickets, pay the prescribed fares, and check the condition of the vehicles before traveling.
As Dashain strengthens the bonds among family, relatives, and the community, the number of people living in the capital for employment or studies who return home to celebrate the festival increases every year.
