KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Khandbari-Kimathanka road reopens after landslide clearance
The Khandbari-Kimathanka road has resumed operation after the Nepali Army helped clear a major landslide that had blocked the route for three months. The road, which connects Nepal’s northern border with China, had been obstructed by large boulders and debris in the Chhumsur area of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-2. The North-South (Koshi) Highway Project sought the army’s assistance to clear the obstruction and restore vehicular movement. In response, a military team from the Chhumsur post under the 1 Development Group was deployed to the site. The team used controlled explosives to break up the massive boulders, enabling the project team to remove the debris and reopen the road. Project Director Ram Bahadur Gurung said explosives were necessary because of the size of the rocks displaced by the landslide.
Millions collected in revenue from tourists visiting restricted areas
The government collects millions of rupees annually in entry fees from foreign tourists visiting restricted areas within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Foreign tourists require special permits to visit Upper Mustang and the Nar Phu area of Manang. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Rs 216.9975 million was collected in entry fees from tourists visiting these restricted areas in the last fiscal year. Project chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said 1,855 tourists obtained permits for 10-day visits to Upper Mustang, paying USD 500 each. Another 2,569 tourists visited the area for one day, paying USD 50 per person. Similarly, 1,338 tourists entered the Nar Phu area of Manang with seven-day permits, paying USD 100 each in entry fees.
Infrastructure development a top priority, says Minister Lamsal
Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has said road construction, healthcare facilities and educational infrastructure will be prioritized to accelerate development in Rupandehi. During an inspection of the region, Lamsal said the necessary budget would be allocated for road expansion, rural road construction, hospital establishment, and the upgrading of health posts and schools. He said plans to expand the four-lane road in two sections were moving ahead in the current fiscal year. The detailed project report (DPR) for the first five-kilometre section has already been completed, and the bidding process is expected to begin soon. Preparations are also underway to initiate construction of another 15-kilometre section after the DPR is finalized, the minister said.
Tourist arrivals in Mustang drop by 41.52 percent
Tourist arrivals in Mustang have declined sharply in the first three months of the current fiscal year, with visitor numbers falling by 41.52 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the District Police Office, Mustang. A total of 69,403 tourists visited the district from Shrawan to Ashoj this year, down from 118,685 during the corresponding period last year. Police Inspector Ishwor Mahat said Mustang received 30,534 visitors in Shrawan, 20,268 in Bhadra and 18,601 in Ashoj this year. During the same months last year, the district recorded 19,000, 23,205 and 75,599 visitors, respectively. Suraj Gurung, president of the Muktinath Hotel Association, attributed the decline to natural disasters and disruptions to transportation. He said Mustang, which typically attracts large numbers of tourists in Ashoj and Kartik, has remained unusually quiet this year.
Nepali cricket team returns home after League 2 series in Oman
The Nepali national men’s cricket team returned to Kathmandu this evening after completing its participation in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Oman. Officials from the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) welcomed the players upon their arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal concluded the one-day international series on a strong note, winning three of the four matches played against Oman and Canada. The team’s performance in the final series of the league marked an impressive outing for Nepal as it faced the two sides in Oman.
Nepal Police launches free bus service on three routes
Nepal Police has launched a free bus service on three routes in Kathmandu Valley to ease travel difficulties caused by a shortage of public transport during the Bada Dashain festival. The service will operate on October 20 and 21. On Monday, the buses began operating at 4 pm. On Wednesday, services will run at 8 am and 3:30 pm. Route 1: The bus will depart from Naxal and return to the same location via Baluwatar, Teaching Hospital, Chakrapath, New Bus Park, Balaju, Swayambhu, Kalanki, Balkhu, Satdobato, Lagankhel, Jawalakhel, Thapathali, Maitighar, Putalisadak, Krishna Pauroti and Jayanepal Hall. Route 2: The bus will depart from Naxal and return via Ratnapark, Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Sallaghari, Suryabinayak Chowk, Koteshwor, the airport, Gaushala, Chabahil, Sukedhara, Chakrapath, Teaching Hospital and Baluwatar. Route 3: The bus will depart from Naxal and return via Sohrakhutte, Balaju Chowk, New Bus Park, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Chakrapath, Sukedhara, Gaushala, the airport, Koteshwor, Satdobato, Ekantakuna, Balkhu, Kalanki, New Bus Park, Chakrapath and Maharajgunj.
DRS to be used in all NPL matches; schedule revised
The Decision Review System (DRS) will be used in all matches of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2026. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the decision in a press statement today, confirming that the technology will be implemented throughout the tournament. According to CAN, the use of DRS will allow teams to challenge on-field umpires’ decisions during matches. Teams that disagree with an umpire’s decision can request a review using the relevant video footage. Meanwhile, CAN has also revised the tournament’s match schedule. Under the revised schedule released today, the first match on days featuring two games will begin at 12:30 pm, while the second match will start at 5:00 pm. On days featuring only one match, the game will begin at 5:00 pm, CAN said. The tournament is scheduled to begin on October 26 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Taleju Bhawani temple opens to devotees on Mahanawami
The Taleju Bhawani Temple at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, opened to the public today, Tuesday, October 20, on the occasion of Mahanawami. The temple remained open for devotees to offer prayers from 5 am to 6 pm. Traditionally, the temple is opened to the public only once a year on Mahanawami, attracting thousands of worshippers. Jayanti Shrestha Pradhan, chief of the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Care Office, confirmed the opening following consultations with the concerned authorities. According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, the idol of Taleju Bhawani was moved to Mulchok within the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex at 7:37 am on Saturday, October 17. The idol was placed in its designated position at 10:39 am the same day.
President Paudel worships Nawakanya
President Ram Chandra Paudel performed a worship ceremony honoring Nawakanya (nine virgin girls) at Rastrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas, on Monday on the occasion of Maha Nawami, the ninth day of the Bada Dashain festival. The President observes the annual tradition of worshipping nine virgin girls as part of the Maha Nawami celebrations. First Lady Sabita Paudel also participated in the ceremony, worshipping the Nawakanya as manifestations of Goddess Nawadurga.
One killed, another injured in elephant attack in Jhapa
A 70-year-old woman was killed and an elderly man injured in an elephant attack at Janata Chowk in Bahradashi Rural Municipality-2, Jhapa, on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Lajuma Khatun, a local resident. According to Ranjan Awal, information officer at the District Police Office, Jhapa, Khatun was attacked by two elephants near the Biring River while on her morning walk. She sustained serious injuries and died on the way to the Provincial Hospital in Bhadrapur. Her body has been kept at the hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Mahanawami festival observed today
Mahanawami, the ninth day of Bada Dashain, was observed across the country today with special worship of Goddess Durga Bhawani and offerings at temples and shrines. The festival falls on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj according to the lunar calendar and is an integral part of the 10-day Bada Dashain celebration. On this occasion, devotees perform special rituals dedicated to Goddess Durga Bhawani and offer jamara, the sacred seedlings grown during Dashain, at various temples and shrines. Animal sacrifices, including male goats, ducks, roosters and buffaloes, are offered at temples dedicated to the goddess. Those who do not follow the tradition of animal sacrifice offer fruits and vegetables instead. Devotees also recite sacred texts, including the Durga Saptashati and Devi Stotra, at homes and temples.
Damage to Beni-Jomsom-Korala road estimated at nearly Rs 1 billion
Damage to infrastructure along the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road is estimated at nearly Rs 1 billion. According to the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, an additional budget of Rs 3 billion to Rs 4 billion will be required to restore the road damaged by landslides, floods and erosion along the Kaligandaki River following heavy rainfall from September 24 to 27. Project chief Tejashwi Sharma said the Kaligandaki River had swept away or destroyed sections of the road at 10 locations, while landslides had caused damage at 50 locations. “Although the road, which initially suffered damage estimated at Rs 80 million to Rs 90 million, was reopened within two weeks following preliminary repairs, we estimate that an additional Rs 3 billion to Rs 4 billion will be needed to restore it to its original condition,” Sharma said. He added that, besides controlling landslides and river erosion, reconstruction work in the Myagdi section would need to follow the design specifications for asphalt pavement, replacing the previously used double bituminous surface treatment (DBST).
Chitwan removes 3,362 names from voter register
The District Election Office in Chitwan has removed 3,362 names from the district’s electoral roll as part of an initiative to update voter records. The names were deleted after authorities identified duplicate registrations, deceased individuals and people who had renounced their Nepali citizenship. Of the total, 1,943 entries were removed due to duplicate registrations. The duplicates were identified by cross-checking voter details against the Election Commission’s database. According to Bhimsen Karki, chief of the District Election Office, the electoral roll was also updated to remove 1,380 deceased individuals and 39 people who had renounced their citizenship.
Nine people arrested with narcotics
Police have arrested nine people with narcotics from various locations across the country. According to the Central Police Newsroom, three people were arrested from Kudari Bazaar in Tila Rural Municipality-3, Jumla; three from Trishuli Chowk in Birtamod Municipality-2, Jhapa; two from Birendranagar Municipality-1, Surkhet; and one from Bhimdutta Municipality-11, Kanchanpur.
Devotees throng Buddha Subba Temple to fulfil vows
Devotees have flocked to the Buddha Subba Temple in Bijayapur, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-14, to offer prayers and perform rituals during the Bada Dashain festival. The temple has witnessed a large turnout since morning on Maha Nawami, when special worship of Goddess Durga is performed, traditionally accompanied by the sacrifice of roosters. According to temple priest Dambar Ale Magar, devotees worship at the temple with the belief that their wishes will be fulfilled and offer a rooster after their wishes come true. Many visit the temple seeking happiness, peace and prosperity for themselves and their families. Devotees come to the temple from various districts of eastern Nepal, as well as from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhutan.
16-year-old killed in road accident
A 16-year-old boy was killed in a road accident at Bathaniya in Bagmati Municipality-12, Sarlahi, on Monday. According to Bed Prasad Gautam, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Rajib Tamang was riding a motorcycle at high speed when it crashed on a local road. Seriously injured in the crash, Tamang was rushed to LS Neuro and General Hospital in Bara, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
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