Kathmandu, September 28: As thousands of people prepare to leave Kathmandu and other urban centres to celebrate Dashain, Tihar and Chhath with their families, a parliamentary committee has called on authorities to make festival travel safer, more comfortable and better organised.
The House of Representatives’ Infrastructure Development Committee has directed concerned government bodies to ensure passengers can travel with dignity and without unnecessary difficulties during the festive rush.
The directive follows discussions and suggestions received during the committee meeting on Monday, according to Committee Chair Ashish Gajurel.
More buses, easier ticketing and safer journeys
With passenger numbers expected to rise sharply during the festival season, the committee has instructed authorities to arrange sufficient public vehicles according to demand and ensure that buses operate from designated bus parks.
It has also called for ticket sales to be managed through authorised locations, with passengers boarding and disembarking only at safe, designated areas.
For many travellers, particularly those returning home for the festivals, securing a ticket at a reasonable price and finding a safe ride remain important concerns. Addressing these issues, the committee has directed the concerned ministry to prepare and immediately implement an action plan to simplify ticket purchases, enforce government-approved fares and establish an effective complaint-handling mechanism.
The plan is intended to prevent passengers from being denied tickets, charged more than the prescribed fare or subjected to ticketing irregularities and fraud.
Special attention to vulnerable passengers
The committee has also stressed the need to make public transportation more accessible and passenger-friendly, particularly for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women and children.
Authorities have been instructed to arrange passenger assistance services, help desks and other necessary facilities to support these groups throughout their journeys.
Road safety and vehicle inspections
Beyond ticketing and transportation arrangements, the committee has urged authorities to prepare for potential road hazards before the festive rush begins.
The instructions include assessing road conditions and identifying possible risks in advance, preparing alternative routes, conducting technical inspections of vehicles, ensuring drivers receive adequate rest and enforcing speed limits.
The committee has also called for strict control of overcrowding in public vehicles and effective implementation of the integrated bus park policy, alongside better coordination among the agencies responsible for transportation management.
Fair prices for food and refreshments
Recognising that long-distance journeys often require passengers to purchase drinking water, snacks and meals along the way, the committee has directed authorities to prevent travellers from being cheated over the price or quality of such goods.
The committee also decided to include lawmaker Rajunath Pandey in a previously formed subcommittee tasked with making public transportation easier, safer and more orderly during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.
With the festive travel season approaching, the committee’s directives seek to address common difficulties faced by passengers and ensure that the journey home is as safe and comfortable as the celebrations awaiting them.
