KATHMANDU: The exodus of people leaving Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain in their hometowns continues to grow, with more than 553,000 people departing in the past eight days alone.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, since the start of Dashain on September 22 (Ghatasthapana), a total of 553,261 passengers have left the Valley through various exit points. In the last 24 hours alone, 85,284 travelers departed.
Chief of the Valley Traffic Police Office, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Navaraj Adhikari, said that the surge in travelers has prompted the deployment of additional traffic police at major checkpoints and parking areas.
“For the convenience and safety of passengers, help desks, monitoring teams, and emergency rescue units have been mobilized. Traffic police are on duty 24 hours a day,” he said.
Traffic police have also urged long-distance drivers not to consume alcohol, to maintain speed limits, and to ensure their vehicles are in proper condition before travel.
In the last 24 hours alone, 17,002 vehicles left the Valley, Traffic Police spokesperson Superintendent Nareshraj Subedi confirmed. Since Ghatasthapana, the total number of outbound vehicles has reached 189,000, with most travelers heading toward districts in the eastern, western, and far-western provinces.
At the same time, Kathmandu has seen a significant inflow of visitors. The office reported that 285,308 people entered the Valley in recent days via 72,041 vehicles.
Key exit points such as Koteshwor, Kalanki, Balkhu, New Bus Park, and Jagati were crowded with departing passengers, while city roads inside the Valley appeared noticeably quieter as traffic volume eased.
Public transport remains the main mode of travel, but the use of private vehicles and tourist buses is also significant. With Dashain approaching, families are preparing for reunions, Durga worship, and the Tika ceremony, intensifying the festive spirit across the country.
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