INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 24Advance ticket booking for the upcoming festivals, including Bada Dashain, Tihar, and Chhat,
will begin this Saturday.
China's Xi Jinping to visit Russia next month for the BRICS summit
Govt to prioritize road safety during upcoming festivals
The decision was made at a Department of Transport Management meeting on Tuesday, aimed at
facilitating smooth traffic management during the busy festival season.The meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Physical
Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Roads, Nepal Police, Traffic Police, and transportation entrepreneurs.
Ishwori Dutta Paneru, Director and Spokesperson of the Department of Transport Management, announced that public transport service providers
have agreed to implement advance booking for medium and long-distance travel starting Saturday
He emphasized the push for online ticket booking to streamline the process and enhance passenger convenience
Only passengers with tickets will be permitted to board buses, ensuring safety.The meeting also mandated that vehicles must operate with
required details, including passengers' identity cards
Measures will be taken to prevent overcrowding at eateries along highways, and strict controls will be enforced to curb unauthorized ticket
sales from unregistered counters.Authorities will be asked to repair major roads to ensure smooth traffic flow during the festivals
Additionally, heavy-duty vehicles, except those carrying essential goods, will be restricted from Narayanghat to Kathmandu from October 3 to
October 17 to manage high traffic volume effectively.Route permits for passenger vehicles will be open nationwide from Ghatasthapana (the
first day of Dashain) to Purnima (the last day of Dashain), with certain vehicle restrictions in place due to specific road
conditions.Routine health monitoring of public transport drivers will focus on alcohol and narcotic drug consumption
If drivers are found intoxicated, vehicle operators must provide replacements.Citizen Help Desks will be established at key locations,
including Nagdhunga, Kalanki, Swayambhu, and others, in collaboration with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.Bishwaraj Khadka, spokesperson
for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, reiterated his commitment to stringent checks to enhance road safety and efficiency for
passengers traveling during the festivals.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com