Kathmandu, Oct 7: It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure long-distance public transport and air tickets in Kathmandu as the number of people leaving the valley to celebrate Dashain festival continues to rise.
According to Nepal Police, nearly 363,164 people had left Kathmandu Valley from October 1-6, 2024 to celebrate Dasai festival. On Saturday evening alone, 16,465 people departed from Kathmandu.
As a result of the mass exodus for Dasain, traffic congestion has been observed at checkpoints and highways in the area. Drivers are facing challenges due to road collapses and landslides in certain areas, making transportation of vehicles and passengers difficult.
Lokesh Saud from Kailali, who departed from Kathmandu bus park, Gongabu, to travel to the far west, mentioned that many individuals were stranded in Kathmandu Valley due to the scarcity of bus and airplane tickets.
He expressed frustration, stating, “It is nearly impossible to secure plane tickets easily. I was fortunate to have booked in advance, but my friends are stuck in Kathmandu without tickets.” Passengers are being forced to pay inflated prices for bus and air travel during Dasain.
Krishna Bahadur KC, encountered at Gongbu Bus Park in Kathmandu, shared that some long-distance travelers were compelled to journey from Kathmandu to Achham even without tickets.
He recounted, “I needed to return home urgently, but couldn’t find a seat. I’m traveling by sitting on the bonnet after negotiating the fare with the driver.” Similar to him, some passengers have resorted to sitting on the roof or bonnet of the bus for their journey.
It has become very difficult to travel due to severely damages of roads by recent downpour connecting the Kathmandu valley. The government was trying to open the roads and make travel easier. #nepal #travel #dashain #flood #road
