Wherever the vehicle stopped, hundreds of passengers jostled to get inside or on its roof. With fewer passenger vehicles in operation due to fuel scarcity, even women and children have been traveling on the roof of vehicles as most of them are overcrowded.Although around 20 commuter vehicles are supposed to operate on the route, the number has gone down drastically due to the shortage of fuel created by Indian blockade, informed the District Traffic Office. This has caused vehicles to carry passengers beyond their capacity.
“It is impossible to expect a safe journey back from our village after celebrating festivals,” complained Anu Gurung, who had hurriedly got inside overcrowded vehicle from Sumnim Chowk of Mehci Highway. “There are fewer vehicles in operation due to fuel crisis.”
Transportation operators have cut off the number of vehicles citing fuel crisis. Many people who had reached their villages to celebrate Tihar festival are now facing hassles returning to their work in cities and towns.
To make the matter worse, passengers are being charged high fares by vehicle operators. Some vehicle operators justify the hike in fares saying that they have to buy fuel in black market at a higher cost.
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