Kathmandu, Sept 21: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, met stakeholders on Saturday (Asoj 4) to discuss festival-time transport management and road safety.
He ordered 24-hour updates on road conditions, a system to receive and address complaints, and immediate reopening of roads blocked by floods and landslides.
The meeting discussed allowing public vehicles to exit via the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel. After Dashain, they may also be allowed to enter.
The Home Ministry will be asked to step up police patrols and increase personnel at Kathmandu’s New Bus Park and on major highways nationwide.
Given the poor road conditions and need to prioritize passenger traffic, heavy freight vehicles (12-wheel and above) will be barred from using the Daunne section of the Butwal–Narayangadh road during the Dashain period. Vehicles carrying food and essential goods will be allowed to pass.
The Department of Roads has been directed to keep key highways in good condition, remove landslide debris, ensure round-the-clock two-way movement at Daunne, clear the Tuin Khola landslide on the Narayangadh–Muglin road, and reopen the road linking Tatopani border before Dashain.
Public notices will urge citizens to travel only after checking weather and road conditions. The department will also operate a 24-hour control room with focal persons to monitor and manage nationwide road and safety issues.
The meeting was attended by the ministry’s secretary, directors general of transport and roads, senior police officials, and representatives of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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