Route Permits to Remain Open Throughout Dashain Travel Period

Route permits across the country will remain open from Ghatasthapana to Kojagrat Purnima to facilitate the movement of passengers, particularly those travelling to their hometowns for the Dashain festival.

A meeting held Tuesday at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), attended by representatives of Nepal Police, traffic police, transport entrepreneurs and other stakeholders, decided to keep route permits open throughout the Dashain period from October 11 to 25.

The meeting also decided to open advance ticket bookings for Dashain travel from October 9, according to Punya Prasad Sitoula, central president of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.

He said passenger vehicles would be given priority based on road conditions, while other vehicles would be allowed to operate thereafter.

DoTM said it was coordinating with relevant agencies to manage transportation effectively during the festival, when a large number of people are expected to leave Kathmandu Valley and other urban centres for their hometowns.

Director General Rajiv Pokharel said preparations were underway to make advance ticket booking convenient and prevent unnecessary difficulties for passengers.

The department said special attention would be given to transport operations, ticket management, road conditions and passenger safety amid the expected surge in travel during Dashain.