Kathmandu. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal has expressed his commitment not to allow vehicles that violate emission standards to be used. Minister Dahal expressed this commitment while discussing with representatives of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs at Singha Durbar on Monday.
He said that passenger vehicles have also been affected due to vehicles that violate standards and that the necessary legal action will be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs. He said that the government’s attention has also been drawn to the issue of weighing scales of freight vehicles. He said that a task force has been formed to study the measurement and weight of freight vehicles and that the problem will be resolved soon.
He also accused the police of not cooperating in the monitoring of freight vehicles and taking necessary action, accusing the police of allowing overloaded vehicles to operate by taking money from the drivers. He said that he would hold necessary discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the overload of vehicles. He also expressed his commitment to create a comfortable environment for the operation of passenger public vehicles on the Daunne section of the Narayanghat-Butwal road under construction.
It was stated that in the first phase, the operation of transport will be suspended during the day from Chaitra 27 to 31 for necessary maintenance and construction on the Daunne section of the Narayanghat-Butwal road, which is being upgraded. Transport entrepreneurs have expressed dissatisfaction with this.
Minister Dahal said, ‘There have been reports of vehicles operating on the BP Highway that are against the norms for a long time. This issue had come up even when this road was not damaged. We have also taken action against some of them. But they have said that this anomaly is still there. We are going to stop the vehicles that are not compliant. We want to express this commitment. We will also sit down and talk to the Ministry of Home Affairs about this. Our attention has been drawn to the suggestion you have given regarding the weighbridge.’
‘We will form a task force for that and study it. It has to be resolved immediately. We have not received any help from the Nepal Police in this regard. Was there any non-cooperation? We have to sit down with the Ministry of Home Affairs on this issue as well. Because such anomalies always do not benefit the country. Allowing overloaded vehicles to run for money is naturally causing loss to public property. Therefore, I will inform you about what will be done to remove this distortion,’ he said.
Saroj Sitaula, General Secretary of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, suggested ending the politics taking place on the roads. He urged the Ministry to provide technical assistance on the roads where public passenger vehicles ply. He drew the attention of Minister Dahal to create an environment where passenger vehicles can ply smoothly.
He stated that after the discussion, he drew the attention of the government to create a suitable environment for public vehicles on the roads across the country, and warned that if the demands are not addressed, they will launch a street protest. He mentioned that public transport vehicles are suffering due to freight vehicles in Daunne and warned of launching a protest if the issue is not resolved in a few days.
He said, ‘Is there too much politicization on the road? We sincerely request all political parties and lower bodies not to politicize the road. Various clubs did not even give any trouble. Technical facilitation was also provided at the road construction site. We needed a road so that passenger vehicles could move smoothly. Because if there is a problem after the passengers board the vehicle, we will be the ones to complain. Therefore, if the same situation happens in Daunne again, we will not operate passenger vehicles. Today, we have raised the issue of the condition of roads across the country. If this is not addressed in a few days, we, the federation and the workers’ trade union, will be in a position to take to the streets.’
Bijay Swar, president of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, said that not only public vehicles but also private and individual vehicles are contributing equally to the increase in air pollution. He said that more air pollution is being caused by institutional and private vehicles than by public transport.
He demanded that motorcycles should also be checked and inspected within the air pollution standards, emphasizing that the smoke emitted from motorcycles is more dangerous for the environment, and an immediate procedure should be made and the inspection process should be taken forward.
Chairman Swar said, “Now motorcycles will also have to be checked and inspected by bringing them within the pollution standards. There is a heavy volume of motorcycles. There are more institutional and private vehicles than public transport. Standards should be implemented in their context. Public transport is supposed to provide convenience to the public. Currently, more than one million motorcycles are plying in the valley. We do not have any standards in the context of those motorcycles.” How much pollution does it create when millions of motorcycles ply within the valley? Experts have said that the fumes from motorcycles are even more dangerous. Now, a procedure must be immediately formulated and monitored.’
Businessmen emphasize that even if freight vehicles are banned on roads under construction, an environment should be created that allows public transport to ply.
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