Discussions under way as festival travel demand surges after protests
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 14
Preparations are under way to open advance booking for long-route buses ahead of the upcoming Dashain festival.
According to the reports, transport operators, the Transport Ministry, and the Traffic Police, are in discussion to fix the date for ticket sales. Normally, bookings open by now as the Dashain festival start next week, but this year's schedule has been delayed due to last week's violent Gen-Z protests, curfew, and prohibitory orders that disrupted travel nationwide.
Every year, millions of people leave the Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns during Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath. This time, officials expect a heavier rush as many who were unable to travel during the protests will join the usual festive exodus.
Long-distance buses began limited services Friday evening. Full intercity services gradually resumed Saturday morning after curfews were lifted, with more departures starting Sunday as traffic into and out of the Valley normalized.
