Even during normal times, traffic flow in and out of Kathmandu Valley through the Kalanki junction can be chaotic — more so during the festive season of Dashain. In order to ease the mad rush, a meeting held in Kathmandu on Tuesday under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management decided to introduce a single point outlet system for long distance public vehicles leaving the Valley. As a temporary measure, the meet also formed a seven-member monitoring committee to ensure smooth flow of public transportation during the Dashain and Tihar festivals. Among the main tasks of the committee will be monitoring transport sector and ensuring smooth flow of public transportation throughout the country during the festive season.

The Gongabu-based New Bus Park has been envisaged as the single outlet point for long-distance public vehicles leaving Kathmandu Valley. At present, long-distance buses leave the Valley from a number of places like Kalanki, Gongabu and Gaushala, thus leading to clashes in departure time and long delays. But, for the Gongabu bus park to serve as envisioned, the management system of the bus park needs to undergo a drastic overhaul. Otherwise, to manage all the buses properly will be a tall order. Nonetheless, the idea is good. But as always, will implementation prove to be equally good?