KATHMANDU, March 8: Vehicular traffic has been diverted due to the influx of pilgrims around Pashupatinath area in Gaushala.

According to traffic police, vehicles heading towards Gaushala are being diverted from Chabahil, Old-Baneshwar, Gyaneshwar, Maitidev, Ratopul, Setopul, Kalopul, Sifalchaur, Kutubhal, Gaurighat, and Tilganga.

Similarly, the cargo vehicles have been diverted from Thinkune, Jorpati, Narayanatar, Chuchchepati, Chabahil, Sinamangalpul and Bashundhara.

Spokesperson at Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office Senior Superintendent of Police Jeewan Kumar Shrestha has urged everyone to contribute to traffic management in the Gaushala area as there is an influx of pilgrims in Pashupatinath temple to mark Shivaratri festival.

According to him, 513 traffic policemen have been deployed to manage the traffic of the Mahashivratri fair. Traffic police will be mobilized for point duty, parking duty, diversion duty etc.

Diversions include routes from Chabahil, Old Baneshwar, Gyaneshwar Maitidevi via Ratopul, Dwarika Hotel North Branch Road, Sifal Chowr towards Jay Bageshwari, Lamopokhari Kutubahal towards Mitra Park, Gaurighat towards Umakunda and Mitrapark, and Tilganga to Gaushala. Cargo vehicles from Tinkune towards Sinamangal, Tilganga, and freight vehicles from Jorpati Narayantar through the corridor road towards Gaurighat.

Managed parking lots include spaces at the land next to the transport office above Guhyeshwari, Sifal Chowr (for devotees/pilgrims), Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Office (for Government and Security Vehicles), Bhandarkhal (for Government and Security Personnel Vehicles), Tilganga and Bankali (for PAST-operated camp vehicles, fire brigade, ambulance, water supply, and security vehicles), and Guhyeshwari for pilgrims' vehicles.