Kathmandu, September 13

Police have arrested over 17 persons from different places of Kathmandu, mainly New Bus Park, for allegedly black marketing and selling bus tickets at exorbitant rates.

Traffic police said the suspects were found collecting tickets from counters in bus park and trying to sell them at inflated prices, officials said.

As Dashain nears, police have stepped up vigilance against crooked transport workers and middlemen to prevent black marketing of bus tickets. Passenger help desks have been set up in eight places of Kathmandu Valley to provide necessary help to people travelling their home district for Dashain.

Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said help desks established in Sundhara, New Bus Park, Swoyambhu, Kalanki, Balkhu, Koteshwor, Tilganga and Satdobato would see if the vehicles are carrying passengers beyond capacity, take action against drunk drivers and address passengers’ grievances. They will also check double-ticketing, the MTPD informed.

The suspects held by police have been charged with fraud. Though the pre-booking of bus tickets started just yesterday, a section of transport workers and employees, and middlemen have already started fleecing passengers, selling tickets at a higher price.