Lack of bus park compels buses to park along roads in Charikot

By Sujan Kafle

Charikot,Oct.1: Parking along the major roads is often a violation of traffic rule. However, for lack of a proper bus park, buses operating in short and long routes are forced to park along the major roads in Charikot, headquarters of tourism district Dolakha.

That has caused traffic congestion and increased risk of accidents. Alongside buses parked in a narrow road, ticket counters are also operating from the roadside. 

Since Charikot is the gate to enter and exit the district and its headquarters, the area is often crowded, and lack of a bus park has made it difficult to commute.

“Buses are parked along the roads rampantly. Bus park and waiting stall are distant apart, there isn’t even a place for passengers to sit while waiting for their buses,” said Prakash Karki, a local.

The congestion has only increased as more buses and individuals are arriving and leaving the district for Dashain.

Locals also informed that the number of short-route buses operating in the district and Charikot area in Bhimeshwor Municipality was also in the rise. 

“Either we need to park along the road or in front of a hotel or other houses. It causes congestion, but there is no other option,” said Roshan Kumar KC, a local Bolero jeep driver.

While the problem has been in existence for years, authorities have turned deaf ears to the concerns of the transport sector.

Meanwhile, Bhimeshwor Municipality’s technical division chief Suresh Raut informed that they had prepared a master plan for the construction of a bus park.

“The land nearby the orphanage at Ward No. 5 has been decided as the place for bus park. Process to manage the land is underway,” said Raut.

The lack of bus park in Charikot has also affected other market areas of the district including Singati, Jiri and Mainapokhari.