The Gandaki provincial government has decided to suspend the implementation of its new ride-hailing regulation for one month, following intense protests from transport entrepreneurs and a formal request from the federal government.

The decision came after a joint meeting on Tuesday involving Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, provincial ministers, and the negotiation committee. Gandaki’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Takaraj Gurung, said the regulation—officially titled Ride-Hailing (Regulation and Management) Guideline, 2025—will remain on hold for one month, during which further talks will be held with the transport sector to address their concerns.

Gurung confirmed that transport operators will be invited for dialogue for a third time, signalling the provincial government’s intent to seek a negotiated solution before reinstating the guideline.

Earlier in the day, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers sent a letter to the Gandaki Chief Minister’s Office, citing the adverse impact on public life due to the ongoing transport strike. The federal office urged the province to suspend enforcement of the ride-hailing provisions until the situation normalises.

Public transport in Gandaki Province has been halted since May 30, after the guideline was published in the provincial gazette on May 15. Transport entrepreneurs launched protests, arguing that allowing red-plate private vehicles to operate commercially under the new regulation undermines their investment and violates national transport laws.

The strike has since expanded nationwide, with transport operators shutting down services across key regions from Monday, affecting tens of thousands of commuters. A federal working group composed of government representatives and syndicate-aligned entrepreneurs reached an agreement late Monday night to request a pause in implementation, prompting Tuesday’s provincial decision.

While provincial officials argue the guideline ensures regulation, taxation, and commuter safety in the expanding digital transport sector, critics fear the delay could embolden syndicate forces long resistant to competition from app-based services.