Khotang. The District Administration Office, Khotang has directed transport entrepreneurs not to charge passengers extra fare in the pretext of festivals. The district administration has directed the transport entrepreneurs not to charge more than the fixed fare after receiving complaints that the transport entrepreneurs were charging passengers extra fare, taking advantage of the Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals.

Chief District Officer Kalpana Shrestha said the passengers have been urged to inform the police if the transport entrepreneurs are charging more than the fixed fare.

“We have directed the transport entrepreneurs not to keep more passengers than the seat capacity, to make arrangements for compulsory ticketing and to limit the speed as the number of passengers is high on the occasion of festivals,” he said. Preparations have been made to run passenger help desks at different places for the convenience of the passengers. Businessmen have also agreed to this. ’

According to the district administration, it has been decided to tighten the fare regulation to facilitate the smooth and safe travel of passengers during the festivals. CDO Shrestha said the administration would keep a special watch this time as the transport entrepreneurs have been seen charging more than the fixed fare, overcharging and overboarding as the number of passengers going home and returning home during festivals increases every year.

As per the earlier fare fixed between the administration and transport entrepreneurs, the one-way bus fare for Diktel-Kathmandu and Kathmandu-Diktel has been fixed at Rs 1,610 and the fare for Diktel-Dharan and Dharan-Diktel has been fixed at Rs 1,500. The one-way fare for Diktel-Kathmandu and Kathmandu-Diktel has been fixed at Rs 2,000 and the one-way fare for Diktel-Dharan-Biratnagar and Biratnagar-Dharan-Diktel has been fixed at Rs 2,100.

The administration has urged the vehicles operating on short routes to travel by charging fares from the passengers as per the rates fixed earlier. A joint team comprising the District Administration Office, Traffic Police Office, Consumer Welfare Protection Committee, Transport Entrepreneurs’ Association and various organizations will be mobilized to monitor the fare fixed in the district, said the District Administration Office.

General Secretary of Khotang Transport Pvt Ltd, Ram Kumar Hingmang, said that the fares of all the vehicles operated in the district have been fixed as the old ones in view of the difficult situation of the country. “The country is crying after the Genji protests on September 23 and 24. In such a situation, everyone is worried,” he said, adding, “Transport entrepreneurs have an important role to play in building the country.” For the convenience of the passengers, we have fixed the old fare for the time being. If anyone takes more than the fixed fare, we will take action. ’

There are 10 local levels in the district. Complaints have been received that the passengers are being cheated the most by the vehicles operating on the rural roads of the district.