As the important days of the Dashain festival are nearing and the public holidays have begun, the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns is increasing.
1.6 million people have already left Kathmandu valley for their hometowns Dashain and the number is estimated to increase till Navami, a day before Vijaya Dashami.
According to Dekhnath Gautam, spokesperson for the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, at least 1.6 million people have already left the valley through different checkpoints this year.
Every year, the Dashain festival is the major annual migration time period in Nepal, when people leave the Valley to reunite with their families.
Taking this as an advantage, long-route vehicles are trying to dupe people to pay higher fare prices citing lack of seats and overbooking.
Ramesh Kumar, a permanent resident of Itahari, was traveling to his hometown but was asked a fare of Rs. 2200 when the normal fare price is Rs. 1500-1600.
Meanwhile, Gautam informed that vehicles are being monitored to ensure the implementation of safety protocols and to apprehend people trying to sell tickets above their fixed rate by the Department of Transport Management.
The FNNTE has set up ticket booking counters at 14 places in the valley, including Gongabu, Kalanki, Koteshwor, Sundhara, and Chahabil, and the Kathmandu Valley Police Office has deployed over 7,500 security officers across the valley for security and management purposes in view of the festive season.
