KATHMANDU, Sep 30: More than 550,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain with family and friends in their hometowns.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, a total of 553,261 people have exited the capital from Ghatasthapana (the first day of Dashain) through to Tuesday morning.
Kathmandu wears deserted look after people leave for Dashain ce...
With the surge in outbound travelers, additional traffic police personnel have been deployed at checkpoints and vehicle parking areas, said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nawaraj Adhikari, chief of the Traffic Police Office.
“Help desks, vehicle monitoring teams, and emergency rescue units have also been activated for the safety and convenience of travelers. Our officers are on duty 24/7,” Adhikari added.
As people head to their villages, Kathmandu’s roads have become unusually quiet. Streets that are typically congested now see very few vehicles. A shortage of public transportation, compared to private vehicles, has added to the difficulties faced by those still in the city.
Meanwhile, during the same period, 285,308 people have entered the Valley in 72,041 vehicles, according to traffic police records.
