The Government has decided to open the Nagdhunga tunnel road for passenger vehicles to exit the Kathmandu Valley on the eve of the Bada Dashain festival. Furthermore, public transport vehicles carrying passengers will be allowed to use the same tunnel road to enter Kathmandu after the Dashain festival.

A decision was taken towards this end by Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising after a discussion with stakeholders at his office today. The meeting was focused on facilitating traffic management and road safety for the festive season.

Minister Ghising, on the occasion, also directed authorities to provide regular updates about the road conditions to passengers round-the-clock, listen to and address their grievances.

The meeting has decided to request the Ministry of Home Affairs to instruct the Nepal Police to increase police patrols and the number of police personnel to tighten security arrangements in the New Bus Park in the Kathmandu Valley and various highways across the country.

Furthermore, heavy goods carrier vehicles (with 12 wheels and above) will not be allowed to operate on the Daunne section of the Butwal-Narayanghat road during the Dashain festival period.

The meeting has directed the Department of Roads to take necessary steps to maintain and improve the major roads across the country, manage the necessary tools and equipment to address incidents of landslide, operate two-way traffic 24 hours a day on the Daunne section of the Butwal-Narayangadh road, remove the obstruction (landslide) in the Tuin River on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section and to bring the main road connecting the Tatopani checkpoint into operation before Dashain.

The Department of Roads has also been instructed to manage a focal person operating 24 hours a day to manage the condition and safety of roads across the country.

The Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Director General of the Department of Transport Management, the Director General of the Department of Roads, Nepal Police, and officials of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs were present in the meeting.