Kathmandu: In preparation for the upcoming festive season, including Bada Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, advance ticket bookings for medium and long-distance travel will open this Saturday, according to the Department of Transport Management.

A meeting held on Tuesday, which included representatives from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Nepal Police, Traffic Police, and transportation entrepreneurs, decided to implement measures to ensure smooth traffic management during the festivals, when travel demand surges. Director and spokesperson for the Department of Transport Management, Ishwori Dutta Paneru, confirmed that public transport providers agreed to begin advance bookings and encouraged the use of online platforms to streamline the process.

Key decisions from the meeting included:

-Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed to board buses.
-Drivers must prevent overcrowding in highway eateries.
-All passengers must carry identity cards for verification.
-Strict enforcement to stop the sale of tickets from unauthorized counters.

Heavy vehicles, excluding those carrying essential goods, will be restricted on the Narayanghat-Kathmandu route from October 3 to 17 to reduce congestion during the peak travel period. Public transport route permits will be opened nationwide from Ghatasthapana (the first day of Dashain) to Purnima (the last day).

Health checks on drivers, with a focus on alcohol and drug consumption, will be conducted. If drivers are found intoxicated, transport companies must provide replacements.

Additionally, Citizen Help Desks will be established at key locations across the Kathmandu Valley in coordination with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to assist travelers. Spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Bishwaraj Khadka, assured stringent safety checks to enhance road safety and efficiency during the festive season.