Public Bus Service Begins in Manang After 22 Years of Road Opening

Manang: For the first time since a road track was opened 22 years ago, regular public bus service has begun in Chame, the district headquarters of the Himalayan district Manang.

The service was inaugurated by MP and former state minister Tek Bahadur Gurung, who highlighted the long wait since the Nepal Army first built the road track during the conflict period. He called the launch a historic milestone, enabling both locals and tourists to travel by bus.

Gandaki Province Assembly Member Munindra Jung Gurung and local officials also celebrated the achievement, noting how the once-distant dream of traveling by bus has now become a reality—even though the road remains mostly unpaved for now.

According to Chief District Officer Matruka Acharya, two buses—Na 6 Kha 9579 and Na 7 Kha 7267—will operate regularly between Besisahar and Chame, covering a 65 km stretch that includes 47 km of unpaved roads. The fare for this route has been fixed at Rs 740.

Until now, the route was only serviced by small vehicles like Bolero and Tata Sumo. The success of a trial run—carrying foreign trekkers to Chame—encouraged the launch of this regular service, managed by local authorities and stakeholders.