Kathmandu Metropolitan City Initiates Removal of Unregistered Bus Ticket Booking Counters Amid Protests

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has embarked on the task of dismantling unregistered bus ticket booking counters amidst a backdrop of ongoing protests. This action follows the implementation of a policy that permits ticket counters exclusively within the new bus park within the Kathmandu metropolis, resulting in the swift removal of unregistered ticket booking counters.

In an earlier development, the Metropolitan Corporation issued a notice on the 26th of Shrawan, instructing operators of haphazardly run counters to cease their operations.

As of now, 41 counters in Koteshwar, 27 in Gaushala, 21 in Chabahil, and 11 in the Gongbu area have already been removed. Unregistered counters in Kalanki and Balkhu areas have also been taken down.

In a notable move, the metropolitan police employed a bulldozer to dismantle ten counters constructed illegally in the Chabahil area.

Previously, the metropolis had called for the closure of unregistered counters starting from Ashad 1. However, as these counters were not fully closed, the metropolis launched a second campaign to enforce their closure, commencing on Bhadra 1.

The metropolis has imposed strict regulations, including the prohibition of ticket booking offices within 100 meters of road intersections. The main office of the booking office must be situated inside the new bus park at Gongbu, and offices are not permitted to operate between the new bus park and Maharajganj and Bafal. The metropolis also requires mandatory fare rates to be displayed in the booking offices, provision of basic amenities for customers (parking, toilets, water, lights, passenger accommodations), office rooms to measure at least 10 to 15 feet, and employees must wear uniforms and carry identity cards.

Counter operators have expressed their opposition to the metropolis's decision, particularly the directive to relocate ticket sales away from road-side locations. Employees of the ticket counters staged protests against the metropolis team that arrived with bulldozers to dismantle unregistered counters. They argued that this action was illegitimate, as the bus operators had decided to remove the counters without their consent. However, the metropolis resorted to force to carry out the removal.

Given that bus operators have already agreed to operate exclusively from the bus park, protests by unregistered counter operators seem unfounded.

To facilitate the operation of long-distance vehicles entering and exiting Kathmandu solely from the new bus park in Gongbu, the metropolis introduced the 'one bus park policy' on the 29th of Baisakh, under the leadership of Metropolitan Municipality Chief Balen Shah. This policy, effective from Shrawan 1, prohibits long-distance buses from picking up and dropping off passengers at locations other than the new bus park.

According to the metropolis, approximately 700 vehicles enter and exit Kathmandu on a daily basis, and the new bus park has the capacity to accommodate 750 vehicles. In alignment with this decision, the metropolis has also resolved to eliminate illegal ticket counters throughout the metropolis.