Kathmandu – Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, held a meeting on Saturday (September 20) with stakeholders to ensure smooth transport management and road safety during the Dashain festival.

Following the talks, Minister Ghising instructed concerned authorities to provide 24-hour updates on road conditions, respond to passenger complaints, and immediately reopen highways blocked by floods or landslides.

The meeting discussed arrangements to allow public vehicles to exit the Kathmandu Valley through the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel road, and after Dashain, also permit their entry, according to the minister’s secretariat.

The meeting also decided to request the Home Ministry to mobilize more police patrols and increase security personnel at Kathmandu’s New Bus Park and major highways across the country.

Since smooth passenger movement must be prioritized, the meeting resolved to restrict heavy vehicles with 12 wheels or more from operating on the Daunne section of the Butwal–Narayangadh road during Dashain. However, vehicles carrying food and other essential goods will be allowed to pass.

The Department of Roads has been directed to maintain and repair main highways nationwide, arrange equipment for landslide management, ensure two-way traffic on the Daunne section around the clock, clear the landslide at Tuin Khola on the Narayangadh–Muglin road, and reopen the Tatopani border road before Dashain.

A decision was also made to issue a public notice urging citizens to travel only after checking weather and road conditions. The Roads Department has been asked to set up a 24-hour focal person system to coordinate and provide road-related information.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of 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 officials, and representatives of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs.