KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has introduced a special security arrangement for the upcoming Tihar and Chhath festivals, mobilizing 1,600 traffic police personnel to ensure smooth traffic management and passenger safety.
According to Superintendent of Police and spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi, 14 passenger assistance desks have been set up at various locations across the valley to help travellers and address their concerns.
As part of the festival security measures, authorities have intensified technical inspections of long- and medium-distance public vehicles. Technical teams, in coordination with traffic police, are carrying out mechanical and emission tests at bus parks, Jagati and Nagdhunga to ensure vehicles are roadworthy before departure.
Traffic police have also stepped up monitoring of speeding, overloading and drunk driving to prevent road accidents. Particular attention is being given to enforcing the mandatory requirement of deploying two drivers on long-distance public vehicles.
To minimize traffic disruptions caused by vehicle breakdowns, technical teams and necessary equipment have been kept on standby to promptly remove disabled vehicles and clear road obstructions.
For Chhath, authorities have prepared a separate security and traffic management plan, particularly targeting crowd control and parking arrangements around religious sites. Subedi said traffic police and regular police personnel would be mobilized to manage congestion and maintain public safety.
Body-worn cameras and drones will also be used to monitor activities in sensitive areas. In locations where traffic police personnel alone are insufficient, joint operations with the Nepal Police will be conducted to ensure effective traffic management and security.
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