KATHMNDU, Oct 4: At around 9 pm on Friday, citizen help desk at Kalanki, a major entry and exit point to the capital, was busy at informing the passengers about the help it can offer them.

A loudspeaker played at the desk says, "Dear passengers, if you have to pay high fares or get stranded or lose anything during your journey, kindly inform us."

The help desk was set up by Metropolitan Traffic Division, Kathmandu to facilitate passengers to reach their journey easily. Nagendra Hajara , Head Constable of Nepal Police who was there at the Desk told Republica Online that the desk is active round the clock to ensure safety, security and comfort of the passengers who are leaving Kathmandu for their home to celebrate Dashain and other festivals including Tihar and Chhath.

According to Hajara, passengers can report to the Desk if any transport entrepreneur demands for excessive fares. He, however, said that passengers must pay additional 20% to the fare fixed by the government.Kalanki area looked crowded. People were waiting for vehicles.

Some of them complained of not getting tickets. Some said advanced booking did not help them as tickets were already booked. Some passengers also paid their journey by sitting at the gangway when tickets are hard to get. Traffic police are busy in managing vehicles.

They grumble that it is really hard to manage traffic during festive season as thousands of people in hundreds of vehicles leave the valley everyday.

Meanwhile, a number of street vendors were busy at calling the folks and attracting them to sell their goods which can be taken as gifts to home or consumed during the journey.

 
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