Nepal Police today launched a comprehensive ‘Festival-Targeted Security Plan – 2083’, deploying over 50,000 personnel nationwide and introducing a mandatory mechanical test report for public vehicles to ensure public safety during the upcoming festive season. The plan, which became effective on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, aims to maintain normal public life, secure financial transactions, and guarantee full security for travelers, according to Central Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abhi Narayan Kafle.
Extensive Security Measures Across the Nation
The nationwide security plan involves the deployment of over 50,000 police personnel to curb criminal activities such as theft, robbery, gambling, smuggling, and border crimes that often increase during festivals. To facilitate safe travel, 408 passenger assistance desks and 108 international border assistance desks have been established. Command posts have been set up in the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, provincial police offices, and district police offices to manage operations.
Police will conduct foot, mobile, and rural patrols, alongside checkpoints with traffic police. Security for government and critical institutions, including prisons, has been strengthened. The force will also leverage technology, including drones, CCTV, and body-worn cameras, for surveillance in major markets, shopping malls, banks, financial institutions, and areas dealing in gold, silver, and other valuable items, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley and other major cities. The plan emphasizes a zero-tolerance strategy against violence targeting women, children, the LGBTQ+ community, and the elderly.
New Vehicle Safety Regulations Introduced
In a significant move to reduce road accidents and prevent loss of life and property, Nepal Police has implemented special measures for public transport. These include strict checks on driving licenses and mandating two drivers for long-distance vehicles. Police will also enforce limits on passenger capacity, prohibiting vehicles from carrying more passengers than their seating allowance.
For the first time in Nepal, all public vehicles will be required to submit a ‘mechanical test report’ issued within seven days prior to their journey. DIG Kafle stated that this rule will be strictly enforced. The police aim to eliminate practices such as passenger harassment, overcharging for tickets, black-marketing, and issuing tickets without available seats for those traveling out of the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu District Police Complex, for instance, has deployed 3,506 police personnel for its festival security plan, which will run until Kartik 30 (BS) (November 16, 2026).
Combating Crime and Disaster Preparedness
The police have identified several security challenges during the festive period, including the trafficking of explosives, customs evasion, theft and robbery at banks and financial institutions, artificial scarcity of food and other essential goods, black-marketing, sale of expired or adulterated products, hundi (informal money transfer), and counterfeit currency operations.
To address potential disaster incidents that may arise during the festive season, special police teams have been deployed. Personnel from the Disaster Management Battalion are on 24-hour standby for rescue, search, relief, and security operations, DIG Kafle confirmed.
Focused Efforts in Madhesh Province
As part of the national security initiative, Madhesh Province will see the deployment of over 7,000 police personnel. This deployment aims to ensure a peaceful, safe, and dignified celebration of festivals like Bada Dashain, Tihar, Nepal Sambat, and Chhath in the region.
Special vigilance will be maintained in Madhesh to control incidents such as fires from crackers and fireworks, gambling and illegal betting, brawls and domestic violence fueled by alcohol consumption, and pickpocketing, theft, and robbery in crowded areas. Along the border, 73 duty teams will be deployed to curb theft and smuggling. Special security arrangements have also been made at border points, including Jamunaha, with the establishment of passenger assistance desks to protect Nepalis returning from India from incidents of robbery, fraud, and abandonment.
DIG Kafle emphasized that the police have arranged a more robust security system this festive season compared to previous years, aiming for a calmer, safer, more dignified, and organized environment. The effectiveness of this security arrangement will be linked to the performance of district and provincial police chiefs.
Unanswered Questions Remain
While the plan is extensive, further details regarding the total budget allocated for the national ‘Festival-Targeted Security Plan – 2083’ were not immediately available. Challenges related to the implementation of the mandatory mechanical test report for older vehicles or in remote areas, as well as specific public awareness programs conducted for this new requirement, also remain unclear. Additionally, specific metrics or targets for measuring the plan’s effectiveness, such as reductions in crime or accident rates, have not been disclosed.
