Long route passenger bus services from Kathmandu resumes

KATHMANDU, Oct 1: Operators of long-route public transport services from Kathmandu to various districts have confirmed that the transportation services have resumed from Monday evening. With the buses beginning to sell tickets, there is now a crowd of passengers at the New Bus Park heading to different districts from Kathmandu.

Pankaj Malla, manager of Lhotse Multipurpose Pvt Ltd, which oversees the New Bus Park, noted that buses are being dispatched to most districts, except the ones which are accessible via the Araniko Highway, including  Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk and Kavrepalanchowk.

“Buses have already started departing after 4 pm,” Malla said. He added that departures to the districts accessible via Araniko Highway will commence once the rain stops and road blockages are cleared.

Passenger vehicles have left for various districts via the Tribhuvan Highway, the Prithvi Highway, the Narayanghat-Mugling road section, and the East-West Highway. Floods and landslides induced by continuous rainfall since Friday evening have hindered long-distance travel from Kathmandu. Passengers heading to the capital have also faced delays, with movement through the Nagdhunga checkpoint temporarily blocked.

Sources indicate that some vehicles have already moved towards the Nagdhunga checkpoint. However, uncertainty remains regarding the resumption of services on the BP Highway and the Araniko Highway due to damage to roads and bridges.