KATHMANDU, Sep 21: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport will allow the use of Nagdhunga-Sisneri tunnel for public transportation during this Dashain.
Newly appointed transport minister Kulman Ghising on Saturday directed authorities to arrange for operation of the tunnel for public vehicles leaving Kathmandu during the festivities.
Three new tunnel roads to be built next FY
A meeting held at Singha Durbar with the officials of the Department of Transport Management, security agencies, transport entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders, made the decision to operate the tunnel. For now, all outbound passenger vehicles from the Kathmandu Valley will be required to exit only through the Nagdhunga–Sisneri tunnel.
The meeting further decided to allow their return after Dashain through the same route, with necessary instructions to be issued to the concerned bodies.
During the meeting, transport entrepreneurs demanded that night buses be allowed to operate during the daytime. President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, Bijaya Bahadur Swar, said that given the fragile situation caused by floods and landslides, it would be more appropriate to operate night buses in the daytime. The government has not made any decision in this matter.
