KHOTANG, Oct 1: Even though the government has hiked transportation fare by 10 percent, transport entrepreneurs in Khotang have agreed not to hike the fare considering the commuters' woes during the festive season.

They agreed to implement the old transportation fare during a meeting with the authorities of the District Administration Office. The government had hiked the fare on September 25. Many transport entrepreneurs have started charging higher fare.

Chief District Officer Surendra Raj Pandey said the decision to give continuity to the previous transportation prices was made in an attempt to make travel comfortable for travelers with the major festivals just around the corner.

Some transportation entrepreneurs have even reduced the transportation fares keeping in mind the festive season. Despite the government's approval to raise transportation fares, the district's decision to maintain original prices has been a great relief for the travelers. There has been widespread protest against the surge in transportation fares with the major festivals just approaching.

The bus fare from Diktel to Kathmandu has been set at Rs 1200. Likewise, prices of other routes are as follows: Diktel-Katari (Rs 800), Diktel-Itahari (Rs 1,150), Diktel-Dharan (Rs 1,175), Diktel-Biratnagar (Rs 1,175), and Diktel-Kakadbhitta (Rs 1,350). Raj Kumar Rai, owner of Halesi Rupakot Transportation Private Limited, said that the transportation cost within the district will also remain constant.

Similarly, the price for travelling through jeep from Diktel to Kathmandu has been reduced by Rs 50 from last year's fare and has been fixed at Rs 1,400. Diktel-Dharan fare is Rs 1,600, Diktel-Itahari is Rs 550, Diktel-Biratnagar is Rs 1,650, Diktel-Katari is Rs 1,000, Diktel-Lahan is Rs 1,200, Diktel-Baksila is Rs 800, Diktel-Aiselukharka is Rs 800, Diktel-Halesi is Rs 400, and Diktel-Nirmalidanda is Rs 400.

The district has decided to follow the time card provision. The authorities said they will to ensure that no vehicles are parked randomly. They will also oversee that transportation services are operated only after acquiring route permission slip and has made it mandatory for the drivers to have identity cards.

 
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