Update (09:10 NST, October 5, 2026)
Advance ticket booking for long-distance public transport for Dashain formally began on Sunday, October 5, 2026, at various locations including Kalanki, Balkhu, New Bus Park, Old Bus Park, Koteshwor, Tilganga, Chabahil, Swayambhu, Sundhara, Nagdhunga, Jagati, and Lagankhel. This follows delays due to damaged highways from recent floods and landslides, which had caused uncertainty among passengers.
The House of Representatives’ Infrastructure Development Committee now estimates that 1 million to 1.5 million people will leave Kathmandu Valley for Dashain, while the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs projects an even higher figure of 1.5 million to 1.7 million. This is an update from the committee’s previous estimate of 1.5 million. The peak travel day is anticipated to be Phoolpati, October 17, with an estimated 75,522 to 113,283 passengers departing the Valley, a lower daily figure than previously projected 200,000 to 300,000.
To accommodate the demand, the committee’s report indicates a need for 43,574 to 65,361 public transport trips, with 4,911 to 7,367 vehicles required on Phoolpati alone. Large buses are expected to account for 48 percent of the total vehicle demand, microbuses 43 percent, and minibuses 9 percent. Despite the formal opening of bookings, complaints have emerged from passengers about some counters charging Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 more than the prescribed fare for long-distance tickets.
An online survey conducted by the committee revealed that 39 percent of passengers plan to use deluxe, AC, or tourist buses, 28 percent will opt for large ordinary buses, 20 percent for microbuses or Hiace vans, and 13 percent for motorcycles or private vehicles.
Update (06:04 NST, October 5, 2026)
Around 1.5 million people are expected to leave Kathmandu Valley for the Dashain festival, a significant increase from the previously estimated 1 million, with nearly one million travelling by public transport, according to a report by the House of Representatives’ Infrastructure Development Committee. The report, based on traffic data, road assessments, and a passenger survey, warns of potential traffic congestion, ticketing irregularities, and road safety risks during the festival rush.
The busiest travel period is anticipated from October 17 to 19, when an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people are expected to depart the Valley daily. The report also highlights that 43 percent of respondents in a survey faced difficulties obtaining Dashain tickets, and 30 percent paid more than the prescribed fare, a figure consistent with previous estimates.
The report recommends diverting east-bound traffic through the BP Highway and Kanti Lokpath to reduce pressure on the Nagdhunga entry-exit point by 15-20 percent. It also suggests prioritising passenger vehicles through the Nagdhunga Tunnel once operational, while directing freight and slower vehicles to the existing road.
Up to 1 million passengers are expected to leave Kathmandu Valley for Dashain this year, with a high-level study committee estimating that 30 percent of them will be subjected to excessive fare collection. The report, prepared by a committee led by Ashish Gajurel, a Rastriya Swatantra Party Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Infrastructure Development Committee, a parliamentary committee under the House of Representatives, was submitted to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The report identifies several critical challenges for Dashain travel, including roads damaged by floods and landslides, the black market for tickets, and the inherent risk of accidents. Continuous rainfall has caused significant damage to major highways across the country, leading to disruptions and making advance ticket booking difficult.
Road Conditions and Travel Delays
Many of Nepal’s key highways are currently either completely blocked or operating on a single lane due to extensive damage from floods and landslides. Affected routes include the Kantilokpath, major highways in Rasuwa, the Beni-Jomsom road section, the Kaligandaki Corridor, and the Simkot-Hilsa road section. These conditions have led to delays in opening advance ticket bookings for the festive season.
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM), the government body responsible for regulating public transport, announced that it would decide on opening advance ticket bookings after holding discussions with stakeholders on Monday, October 5, 2026. The Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs is among the key stakeholders involved in these discussions.
Measures to Protect Passengers
To mitigate the issues of overcharging and ticket black marketing, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office plans to operate 14 passenger assistance desks across the Kathmandu Valley. These desks will serve as points for passengers to register complaints regarding excessive fares or black market ticket sales. Additionally, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office is preparing to deploy over 1,300 traffic police personnel to manage Dashain travel and ensure smoother traffic flow.
The DoTM has clarified that public transport fares will not increase unless there is a change in petroleum product prices. Rajiv Pokharel, Director General of the DoTM, stated that strict action would be taken against anyone found overcharging passengers. Furthermore, airlines found charging excessive fares for Dashain flights could face fines of up to Rs 1.5 million.
In an effort to streamline the booking process and enhance transparency, the DoTM has issued directives mandating online booking, requiring invoices with passenger details, controlling unauthorized ticket counters, and making official identification cards compulsory for passengers.
Government Response and Future Outlook
The Road Department has committed to improving major roads and repairing alternative routes in districts where bridges have been washed away before Dashain, aiming to facilitate vehicle movement. Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has also indicated that existing laws will be reformed to create a more conducive environment for development and investment, ensuring that new legislation does not disproportionately benefit intermediaries.
Despite these announcements, the detailed recommendations made by Ashish Gajurel’s high-level study committee to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Minister Sunil Lamsal regarding Dashain transport management have not been fully disclosed. It also remains unclear whether there is any dissent or differing opinions regarding the estimated 1 million passengers or the 30 percent overcharging figure. Furthermore, specific plans announced by Minister Lamsal to directly address the problems of excessive fares and ticket shortages during Dashain have not yet been detailed.
