KATHMANDU, June 7: The general public in the Kathmandu Valley is left in a dilemma regarding the search for means of transportation as the old-bus park was found empty and padlocked. Ram Sundar Poudel, a commuter, could not find a single bus for Dakshinkali even after making his second round of Tudikhel. 

The public vehicles inside the Kathmandu valley had started to operate under the odd-even rule from June 29. On July 6, a decision to operate all public vehicles inside the Valley was made. Though the ban on vehicles was lifted, Rita Magar was found in a confused state as she couldn't find any vehicles for Bhaisepati. 

The bus park which is located in the northern corner of Khulamanch was vacated over a month ago following the protest from activists under the heritage protection campaign, stating that the construction of a bus park is an act of removing the heritage. The commuters who were unaware of the closed bus park were found struggling to find vehicles for their destinations. 

The old bus park which was located at Bagbazar in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-28 was moved to the north side of the Khulamanch in the capital in order to construct a view tower at its former location. The metropolitan had also agreed to establish a bus park at the ground floor of the view tower. According to Bhai Ram Khadgi, chairperson of Ward-28, many people have shown up at the ward office to complain about their dilemma, regarding the removal of the bus park.  

“I have requested the chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City for the arrangement of a bus park as soon as possible,” Khadgi said. According to the ward office, a written letter has been sent to the environment department of Kathmandu to resolve the problem. Public vehicles operating inside the Kathmandu Valley leave for their designated destinations after going around the Tudikhel in the capital. 

Furthermore, public vehicles had been leaving for various destinations inside the Kathmandu Valley and other districts like Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha and Ramechhap from the old bus park. 

People can also report their issues by calling the number 103 in case they don’t find any transportation, Sanjiv Sarvadas, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Traffic Division, said. He said that the passengers will be provided with information regarding the availability of vehicles near them. 

According to the Traffic Division, most vehicles have not come into operation although the odd-even rule was lifted on Tuesday. The department has taken legal action against 816 vehicles that did not follow the road rules and regulations in the past 24 hours.

 
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