Kathmandu-Banaras direct bus service begins

Kathmandu, March 5: A direct bus service has begun between Kathmandu and Banaras which have cultural and religious importance.

Opening the bus service today, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bimalendra Nidhi said the bus service would further consolidate age-old bilateral relations between Nepal and India.

“The close connection between Kathmandu-Banaras, Janakpur-Ayodhya and Lumbini-Gaya have made Nepal-India relation further strong from religious and cultural fronts”, Minister Niodhi said, adding that, “It would help promote tourism of both Nepal and India”.

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has said the direct bus service from and to Kathmandu-Banaras would add new dimension to existing Nepal-India relations.

According to the General Secretary of the Rastriya Yatayat Byabasayi Mahasanga, Saroj Sitaula, the distance to Banaras from Kathmandu is 604 kms. It will take 16 hours to reach Banaras via bus service and the fare for this is fixed at Rs 2,144.