Miscellaneous
Highway security up as Dashain revellers return
Security agencies have heightened vigilance while escorting passenger vehicles to Kathmandu Valley, as people start returning after celebrating their Dashain holidays.Security agencies have heightened vigilance while escorting passenger vehicles to Kathmandu Valley, as people start returning after celebrating their Dashain holidays.
The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division data shows that there is an increase in number of vehicles entering the Valley. On Sunday, 4,696 vehicles entered the Valley, carrying around 65,315 passengers.
Since October 20, a total of 13,146 vehicles have entered the Valley with around 172,000 passengers on board. These vehicles entered Valley through Nagdhunga, Bhaktapur, Mudkhu and Farphing entry points.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kamal Singh Bam said each regional police offices have been coordinating with vehicles plying their route and have been escorting them at night. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) are assigned to conduct patrolling and ensure safe mobility of these vehicles. Vehicles coming from the eastern districts are being stopped at Itahari in Sunsari district before they are escorted up to Dhanusa district at night.
Patrol and escort vehicles are increased according to the need which is based on the number of passengers buses and vans.
Superintendent of Police Posh Raj Pokhrel, spokesperson of MTPD, said fewer private vehicles went out of the Valley during the festival season. This, he said, might be due to shortage of fuel, owing to Indian blockade and the ongoing protest in Tarai where many vehicles were torched and vandalised. The ongoing protest in Tarai districts, including Parsa, Dhanusha, Morang, Rupandehi, Banke and Bardiya, have disrupted highway traffic. Fuel shortage has added to the woes faced by people.