Nepal Police Deploys 50,000 Security Personnel for Festive Season

Nepal Police has deployed around 50,000 security personnel across the country ahead of the festive season, while the Department of Roads has cleared major highways, ensuring smoother travel for holidaymakers.

Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Binod Ghimire said security units nationwide have implemented a special festive-season plan, coordinating with other security agencies and the public to maintain peace and a safe environment.

“Potential risk areas have been identified, and special monitoring has been intensified to ensure a secure celebration,” he said.

According to Ghimire, police will also use drones and trained sniffer dogs as needed, while plainclothes policemen will be deployed in sensitive areas.

In the Kathmandu Valley alone, more than 6,000 personnel have been stationed, with additional manpower ready to be deployed if required. The police are closely monitoring vehicle movement, gatherings, alcohol-related disturbances, theft, smuggling, overcharging, and other potential criminal activities during the festivities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Roads has cleared landslides and completed repair work on most of the country’s major highways, making travel easier for those leaving and entering the Kathmandu Valley.

Recent landslides had blocked key routes, including the Muglin–Narayanghat stretch, causing travelers to spend more than 40 hours in traffic jams. Department spokesperson Prabhat Kumar Jha said, “Once the festive travel began, major highways such as the Prithvi and Araniko routes were completely blocked due to landslides. We worked around the clock to clear the debris, and now the roads are largely accessible.”

Currently, four highways are fully operational and 171 are open for one-way traffic. Some routes, including Thori–Bhandara–Malekhu, Galchi–Trishuli–Betrawati–Mailung–Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi, and parts of Taplejung’s Tamor Corridor, remain partially blocked due to flood damage, with repair works ongoing using excavators and loaders.

The Rani Bridge over the Tamor River, washed away in August, is under reconstruction with support from Remit Hydro. Traffic disruptions also persist along stretches of the Koshi Highway and near Rasuwagadhi, but authorities are working to reopen all affected sections before the peak festive travel period. -- RSS