All night passenger buses leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their destinations will have to be parked and can depart only from the New Bus Park in Gongabu, as per a new rule by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.

According to SSP Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the move is made to reduce road accidents and traffic jams inside the Valley.

Earlier night passenger buses leaving the Valley would depart from various places in an unregulated manner, including Chabahil, Gaushala, Koteshwor, Kalanki, and Machhapokhari, and their rampant parking would contribute to traffic jams.

“The new arrangement has been made because night passenger vehicles leaving from the Valley from various parts have caused traffic congestion,” said Bhatta.

Meanwhile, the President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, Bijaya Bahadur Swar stressed the need for the transport sector to provide service to people in an easy and reliable manner.

“Transport entrepreneurs have no problem with the proposed change. However, arrangements should be made for the buses to pick up and drop passengers from elsewhere along the Ring Road, and park the vehicles at the Bus Park,” he said.

The parking lot at the Bus Park, spanning 161 ropani lands, has the capacity of parking more than 2,000 vehicles. Passenger buses for more than 65 districts throughout the country operate from this bus terminus on a daily basis.