KATHMANDU: Advance ticket sales for the upcoming festivals, including Bada Dashain, Tihar, and Chhat, will commence this Saturday.
The Department of Transport Management has decided to address traffic management strategies during the busy festival period.
Ishwori Dutta Paneru, Director and Spokesperson of the Department of Transport Management, stated that public transport providers have agreed to initiate advance bookings for medium and long-distance travel starting Saturday.
He emphasized the push for online ticketing to streamline the process and enhance passenger convenience.
To ensure safety, only ticketed passengers will be permitted to board buses.
The meeting also mandated that vehicles must maintain passenger identity records.
Additionally, drivers and co-drivers will be instructed to manage overcrowding at roadside eateries.
Strict measures will be enforced to eliminate unauthorized ticket sales at unregistered counters.
Authorities will be asked to repair key roads to facilitate smooth traffic during the festivals.
As part of the decisions made, heavy vehicles, including trailers (except those carrying essential goods), will be prohibited from traveling on the Narayanghat to Kathmandu route from October 3 to October 17 to manage the expected increase in traffic.
Route permits for passenger vehicles will be available nationwide from Ghatasthapana (the first day of Dashain) to Purnima (the last day of Dashain).
However, certain vehicle restrictions will apply on specific roads due to their conditions.
Routine health checks for public transport drivers will focus on alcohol and drug consumption.
If drivers are found intoxicated, the operators will be required to provide replacements.
Citizen Help Desks will be established at various locations, including Nagdhunga, Kalanki, Swayambhu, Halchowk, Machhapokhari, Naya Buspark, Chabahil, Tilganga, Koteshwor, Jagati, Satdobato, Balkhu, Dakshinkali, Sundhara, and Sanga, in collaboration with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Bishwaraj Khadka, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, reaffirmed their commitment to strict safety checks to ensure passenger well-being during the festival season.
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