Kathmandu May 6.

A total of 103 vehicles trying to enter the Kathmandu Valley without vehicle permit during the ongoing lockdown were returned from the entry point on Tuesday. Those with essential supplies, however, have been allowed the entry. The government has been enforcing nationwide lockdown since March 24 to contain the outbreak of COVID-19. All the human and vehicular movements have come to a grinding halt except for those providing essential services and supplies. Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)’s deputy mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi today went to Nagdhunga to take stock of the people and vehicles trying to enter Kathmandu Valley through this entry point. DSP Ghanashyam Shrestha, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Circle, Thankot, shared that 37 such vehicles were returned on Monday and 103 on Tuesday. Vehicle permit passes have been issued by the respective District Administration Offices in special cases and conditions. However, misuse of those passes has been reported during the ongoing lockdown. Those vehicles trying to enter the Valley were returned either in lack of evidences (vehicle pass) or convincing answers, according to the police. The entry points to Kathmandu have been tightened to prevent untoward entries and exit during such a health crisis. DSP Shrestha said that the entry point has not recorded any vehicles with foreign number plate trying to enter Kathmandu Valley. Vehicles supplying vegetables and food items however enter Kathmandu routinely. Around 500 vehicles carrying essential supplies are entering Kathmandu via Nagdhunga on a daily basis lately, DSP Shrestha added. Deputy Mayor Khadgi, during the on-site visit, inquired the drivers about reason to come Kathmandu and where they would stay and so forth. She also distributed facial masks to those drivers driving without using protective gears like mask.