- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:05 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Two bus services from the Sahibabad depot, running from Anand Vihar to Mahendragarh and Nepalgunj in Nepal, have been curtailed due to ongoing violence in Nepal. For the past three days, buses have been operating only up to Rupaidiha in Uttar Pradesh and Tanakpur in Uttarakhand, approximately six to seven kilometres from the Nepal border.
Passenger numbers have fallen sharply, prompting additional cancellations. On Wednesday, only one of the two scheduled buses managed to depart. Officials from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) said they have not received any official order from headquarters or the Nepalese authorities to suspend operations, but, prioritising passenger safety, buses are being stopped short of the border.
Under the India-Nepal Friendship Bus Service agreement, buses from Nepal are expected to return to India for every bus departing from India. However, due to the curfew in Nepal, buses from the neighbouring country are also not arriving. An official directive on this matter is expected soon.
“Passenger occupancy has dropped to only 30-40 per cent, whereas a minimum of 50 per cent is required for a bus to run. Hence, even services to Rupaidiha and Tanakpur are being cancelled. Passengers are being dropped at the border points and making their own arrangements to reach Nepal,” said Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Regional Manager, Sahibabad Depot.
Daily services had previously departed from Anand Vihar at 3:40 PM for Nepalgunj and 6:00 PM for Mahendragarh. The curfew and ongoing unrest in Nepal have disrupted these operations, leaving travellers with limited options.
