Over 207,000 Passengers Leave Kathmandu Through New Bus Park Ahead of Dashain
More than 207,000 passengers departed from Kathmandu’s New Bus Park between October 3 and 11 as the annual Dashain exodus gained momentum, despite road disruptions affecting transport operations.
The annual Dashain exodus has intensified in Kathmandu Valley, with thousands of people travelling to their hometowns and villages to celebrate the festival with family and relatives. According to Pankaj Malla, General Manager of Lhotse Multipurpose Pvt. Ltd., which operates the New Bus Park, a total of 207,251 passengers departed from the transport hub between October 3 and 11. The highest daily departure was recorded on October 9, when 31,235 passengers left Kathmandu, followed by 29,602 on October 6 and 29,380 on October 11. However, deteriorating road conditions and disruptions on major highways have complicated travel during the festive rush. Deknath Gautam, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, cited the road subsidence at Galaundi in Dhading along the Prithvi Highway on October 9 as a major disruption that obstructed traffic and left some buses stranded in the Valley. Amid the growing rush, transport entrepreneurs have urged passengers to purchase tickets before boarding, pay only the prescribed fares, and check vehicle conditions before travelling.