KATHMANDU: With Dashain festivities arriving in Nepali households, the annual outflow of people from the Kathmandu Valley has surged.
As schools and colleges close for the holidays, major departure points such as Gongabu Bus Park are witnessing heavy crowds from early morning.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Dipak Giri, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, about 138,296 people left the Valley between Ghatasthapana and Wednesday evening.
Unlike in previous years, advance ticket booking was not opened this Dashain, though passengers were allowed to purchase tickets a day in advance, the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs confirmed. This arrangement has led to large crowds at Gongabu as travelers seek last-minute tickets.
Besides Gongabu New Bus Park, key exit points including Machhapokhari’s Dhading Bus Park, Koteshwar, and Kalanki are also seeing significant congestion as holidaymakers head to their hometowns.
Photo: Nepal Photo Library
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