Advance ticket bookings for Dashain travel will open on October 9, following a decision reached on Tuesday after discussions among transport authorities and stakeholders at the Department of Transport Management.

Route permits will also not be required during the Dashain period. Vehicles will be allowed to operate nationwide from Ghatasthapana, which marks the beginning of the 15-day festival, until Purnima, the final day, said Punya Prasad Sitaula (Saroj), chairperson of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.

Around 2 million people leave the Kathmandu Valley during Dashain each year. The government typically relaxes route permit requirements nationwide during the festival to accommodate the surge in travel. People head home by buses, private vehicles, reserved vehicles and air.