Kathmandu, September 27

Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has set up passenger help desks in 13 places of Kathmandu valley to facilitate people travelling to their villages and towns for Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals.

MTPD said the help desks were established in Kalanki, Swoyambhu, New Bus Park, Satdobato, Gaushala, Chabahil, Balkhu, Dakshinkali, Koteshwor, Sundhara, Baneshwor, Old Bus Park, Nagdhunga and Jagati to regulate the traffic and settle complaints lodged by passengers. The help desks comprises representatives from traffic and civil police, Department of Transport Management, civil society, transport entrepreneurs and workers.

According to MTPD, he help desks will assist people in booking and acquiring travel tickets. Ticket booking counters have been asked to display bus fares to ensure transparency. Help desks will also warn ticket booking clerks against possible incidents of double-ticketing, blackmailing and overcharging. Officials deployed at help desks will arrest and take action against those involved in fraudulent activities.

The government has made it compulsory for ticketing clerks to wear ID cards to ensure that ‘passengers are not cheated on the pretext of making tickets available to them at a cheaper rate’. Officials have appealed to all to take precautions to prevent fraudulent activities and lodge complaints at help desks if they face any problem.

According to MTPD, help desks will also check if vehicles are carrying passengers beyond capacity and allowing passengers to sit atop buses.

Help desks will also take action against drunk drivers. For the safety of the commuters, the government has made it mandatory for transporters to maintain two drivers in vehicles that ply on longer routes.