The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, which has announced its zero tolerance against drink driving, has issued tickets to 1,121 people, mostly Dashain revellers who were caught driving under the influence, over the past five days, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

“This is the biggest number of drunk drivers we have booked. This time, we have reported them to Nepal Police who will file public offence cases against them,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal, the division chief.

Among those booked are also drivers on longer routes.

“We have deployed our special troops for MaPaSe checking at all the three main exit points [of Kathmandu]—Naghdhunga, Bhaktapur and Pharping,” said Dhakal.

According to the division office, around 1.5 million people have left Kathmandu Valley so far to celebrate Dashain with their families in towns and villages outside. Traffic police estimate that more than three million people would leave the Valley in total this Dashain.

“The number of people leaving the Valley will go up massively on Friday and Saturday. We will keep a close watch on MaPaSe drivers and riders as drunk driving is one of the main causes of accidents on the highways,” said Dhakal.

Starting from Ghatasthapana, more than 16,000 public vehicles have been leaving Kathmandu Valley every day carrying festival travellers to various destinations. Police data shows that on a regular day, around 7,000 vehicles leave the Valley from its main exit points. The division has deployed traffic police to the exit points.