Windshield of minbus smashed at Dhangadhi bus park, safety concerns rise

Dhangadhi: The windshield of a minbus bus with registration number Sudurpaschim Province 01 001 Ja 1764 was shattered while parked in the Dhangadhi Bus Park. According to vehicle owner Parmanand Bhatta, an unknown individual broke the windshield on Thursday night, causing damages amounting to Rs 35,000.

A rule at the Dhangadhi Bus Park requires drivers or co-drivers of minbuses operating on the Dhangadhi–Tikapur route to stay overnight at the bus park to secure their turn. Bhatta said an unknown person threw stones at the bus while the driver and co-driver were sleeping at the bus park, waiting for their turn the following morning.

To get a turn on the Tikapur route, one member from each bus—either the owner, driver, or co-driver—must line up at the joint booking counter at 5 am. Instead of implementing an automatic numbering system as provided in the regulations, the current practice compels drivers to sleep overnight at the bus park. A news report regarding this issue was published earlier in Dinesh Khabar.

Vehicle owners, drivers, and co-drivers have expressed concerns about their safety after recent nighttime vandalism. They fear similar attacks may occur in the future.

Although 27 CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the bus park, a group of drug addicts has reportedly been repeatedly vandalizing vehicles parked in the area.