Valley
Only 9 outdated motors seized in three weeks
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has impounded nine vehicles more than 20 years old for plying the Kathmandu roads in the last three weeks since a decision to ban them came into force.The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has impounded nine vehicles more than 20 years old for plying the Kathmandu roads in the last three weeks since a decision to ban them came into force.
The government decision to ban public vehicles more than 20 years old came into force on March 1. According to the DoTM, in the last three weeks it has impounded four tempos, three taxis, a bus and a mini truck. The number of old vehicles facing action, however, is too low given the DoTM records that show there are around 2,500 public vehicles in the Valley which are more than 20 years old.
The government decided to ban the old vehicles in the Valley in view of increasing pollution and traffic congestion. According to the DoTM, there are around 5,000 vehicles that are older than 20 years across the country.
The decision, however, has been criticised by public transport entrepreneurs.
But Tok Raj Pandey, spokesperson for the DoTM, said the owners of these old vehicles have already earned more than they had invested and hence banning these vehicles should not affect them financially. “Besides, we have taken into consideration the general public’s right to safe and easy commute while enforcing a ban on old vehicles,” said Pandey.