Over 576,000 people have departed Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain since Ghatasthapana, which began on October 11, 2026. A total of 576,578 individuals, comprising 227,755 women and 348,823 men, had exited the valley as of today, October 20, 2026, according to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office reported that these travelers used 79,676 vehicles during this period. The approaching Vijaya Dashami, the main day of Dashain, has significantly increased passenger movement and vehicle congestion at the valley’s primary exit points.
On October 11 and 12, 2026, alone, 109,636 passengers left the valley. This surge in travel is typical as people residing in Kathmandu Valley for studies, employment, and business return to their hometowns to celebrate the major cultural and family festival with their relatives.
Managing the Dashain travel rush
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, responsible for traffic management and safety, has noted a substantial increase in activity at major exit points. Suresh Prasad Kafle, Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office and Senior Superintendent of Police, stated that passengers are continuously leaving through key checkpoints including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Bhaktapur, and Bhattedanda.
Traffic police are paying special attention to managing the escalating congestion at these points. Kafle emphasized that traffic personnel are deployed 24 hours a day to ensure passenger safety and reduce road accidents during Dashain, Tihar, and other festive periods.
The objective of this heightened surveillance is to facilitate smooth passenger movement, manage vehicle flow, and minimize potential accidents. “Traffic police are on the roads 24 hours a day to ensure passenger safety and reduce road accidents. Our goal is for everyone’s journey to be successful and safe,” Kafle said.
Safety measures and future outlook
Kafle advised long-distance travelers during the festive season to pay close attention to the condition of their vehicles, the health of drivers, and driving times. He stressed that both passengers and drivers must exercise caution to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Dashain holidays commenced on October 19, 2026, and Vijaya Dashami (Dashain Tika) is scheduled for October 21, 2026. The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti has set the auspicious time for Vijaya Dashami at 10:26 AM on October 21, 2026. The ongoing holiday period is expected to further increase the number of people leaving the valley.
In addition to domestic travel, a significant number of Nepalis are returning from India to celebrate Dashain. Over 50,000 Nepalis had returned through the Jamunaha border crossing in Nepalgunj in the last five days alone, as of October 6, 2026, contributing to increased activity at border points.
The government recently approved the ‘National Transport Policy, 2083’, which aims for a sustainable, safe, accessible, inclusive, green, and technology-friendly transport system. However, specific data on the total estimated number of passengers expected to leave the valley is not yet available. Details regarding the effectiveness of special measures taken by traffic police to reduce accidents during the festive season and government actions to control black marketing and artificial scarcity of air tickets also remain unclear.
