Advance ticket booking for Dashain festival opens amid heavy rainfall

KATHMANDU: The government has opened advance ticket booking today, specifically aimed at facilitating travel during the Dashain festival.

This initiative is designed for individuals who have come to the federal capital, Kathmandu, for education, business, or employment, allowing them to return home to celebrate the festival.

With just five days remaining until Ghatasthapana, the ticket booking process has begun, leading to long queues at the New Bus Park as passengers lined up early in the morning to purchase their tickets.

The recent continuous rainfall across the country, including Kathmandu, has not deterred travelers, who have been waiting in line under umbrellas since early morning.

Passengers are particularly crowded at the advance ticket booking counters for destinations such as Darchula, Dadeldhura, Dhangadhi, Tikapur, Bajhang, Bajura, Salyan, Rukum, Pyuthan, Rolpa, as well as Taplejung, Ilam, Kakadbhitta, and Udayapur.

While the government has arranged for online ticket booking, many travelers are opting to stand in line from dawn.

Punyan Prasad (Saroj) Sitoula, Senior Vice Chair of the National Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs, confirmed that advance ticket booking opened at 6 AM today.

He also noted that the heavy rainfall starting Friday has caused roadblocks across the country, making it difficult for ordinary travelers.

He mentioned that even today, the situation for public transport on highways remains precarious.

Every year, around 2 million passengers leave the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain.

Although advance ticket booking has opened for long and medium-distance travel, tickets for short-distance vehicles will be available starting from Ghatasthapana.