Passenger help desk set up in 14 locations of Kathmandu Valley to assist travellers

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 8: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has set up passenger help desks at 14 locations in the Kathmandu Valley to assist those traveling back to their villages during Dashain and Tihar. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabin Karki of the Valley Traffic Police Office provided this information.

The help desks have been established at various locations in Kathmandu, including Naghdhunga, Kalanki, Bafal, Machhapokhari, New Bus Park, Chabahil, Gaushala, Koteshwor, Balkhu, Dakshinkali and Sundhara. Additionally, the desks are operational in Bhaktapur's Jagate and in Satdobato and Chapagaun of Lalitpur.

These temporary help desks are run by two traffic police officers. Along with the traffic police, personnel from the concerned police circles and community police are also deployed as part of a security plan implemented by the Valley Police Office. 

According to the plan, the officers stationed at these desks will play awareness-raising jingles.

DSP Karki said that the staff at the assistance centers are assigned the responsibility of informing passengers about police deployments for their safety. 

He said, "The help desks have been set up to address the concerns and grievances of passengers and to provide necessary assistance targeting the festival."

If passengers are unaware of the fares, a list of fares is displayed prominently at the desks located near the main point and ticket counters. The police deployed at these desks also ensure that the correct fare rates are displayed at the ticket counters. 

DSP Karki of the Valley Traffic Police Office said, "The traffic police stationed at the desks have the authority to closely monitor exorbitant fares, and investigate fake and duplicate tickets."

If a passenger misses a bus or other public transport, the officers at the help desks will help them board the appropriate vehicle. They also have the authority to take action against those charging excessive fares or boarding more passengers than the vehicle's capacity allows, said DSP Karki. 

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has arrested 13 persons from Kathmandu for charging exorbitant fares to passengers returning to their hometowns during Dashain. 

The arrested individuals were found to be involved in making fake tickets and overcharging travelers.

Among the 13 arrested, three were arrested from Koteshwor and six from Balkhu, according to DSP Rabin Karki of the Valley Traffic Police Office.

He said, "We have handed over the 13 individuals arrested from areas including Balkhu and Koteshwor to the respective police stations for legal action."