According to Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation (NTENF), the number of passengers going out of the valley on the eve of Dashain has gone up by over 40 percent.[break]
NTENF data suggests as many as 102,050 people are leaving Kathmandu from the day of Ghatasthapa to Mahaasthami this year. While only 32,500 people had travelled outside the valley last Dashain.
"There has been a phenomenal growth in the number of passengers this Dashain," said Dala Raj Khanal, general secretary of NTENF. "We are stunned to see such a heavy exodus of people and finding it hard to manage buses and seats for this sudden rise in number." NTENF had estimated a 20 percent rise in the number of passengers and had arranged for additional vehicles to meet the demand.
"Keeping in view the extraordinary growth in the number of passengers, we have arranged around 1,800 vehicles including 1,300 buses and 300 micro vans," said Khanal. The federation had arranged some 1,000 buses including 300 micro vans and about 700 buses for different routes across the county last Dashain.
"Asking entrepreneurs all over the nation to pool in their vehicles, we have managed a substantial number of vehicles to ensure safe journey for all passengers," Khanal told Republica. He said this year an large number of passengers are headed for the destinations like Agrhakhachi, Kakarbhitta, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi.
Kedar Man Singh, director of Makalu Yatayat, said this rush of people leaving for their homes for Dashain has been seen at least after 10 years.
"We have seen a 25 percent growth in the number of passengers approaching us for the tickets. Even with the additional number of buses, we have been able to sell tickets only to 75 percent of people seeking tickets," he said.
Makalu Yatayat, which has been operating 24 buses for 12 different destinations, has recently added six more buses to the fleet to cater to the rising number of passengers. Miteri Yatayat and Auto has bought in seven new buses. "Apart from business, we are concerned about journey and safety of passengers," said an official of the company.
"For this purpose, we have arranged additional number of buses by injecting fresh investments." He said the arrangement of extra transport during the festival time helps the company retain its passengers.
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