Reforms on cards for transport sector

KATHMANDU, SEP 05 -The government is devising a plan for transport management reform with technical support from the World Bank. The reform aims at addressing issues such as the operation of mass transport, road safety and traffic management.

According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), the new policy on transport management will be introduced in 2014 following the Cabinet’s endorsement.

A consultant hired by the World Bank is preparing a draft of the strategy supported by government agencies concerned, such as MoPIT and the Department of Transport Management. The existing National Transport Policy (2002) has no clear provisions on road transport management, according to MoPIT officials. With an increase in the number of vehicles, the need for an updated policy was evident.

A strategy highlighting transport management will plan for total reform in a phase-focused manner. Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary of the MoPIT said the new strategy will have a short-, medium- and long-term action plan for transport management. “The consultant will submit the final draft by the end of this year based on our inputs,” he added.


The first draft of the strategy is being presented to the MoPIT on Friday for additional inputs. Nabin Pokhrel, joint secretary at the MoPIT said the strategy has an aim to operate a mass transport system in the public sector. “This will help reduce the domination of the private sector in transport service, and promote the government for operating mass transport,” he said.

The ministry has also been undertaking the Kathmandu Urban Sustainable Transport project under the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, which has a plan to operate BRT and electric vehicles.

Sheer volume has emerged as a challenge for the government in reducing accidents and improving traffic management. The Department of Transport Management registered more than 1.55 million vehicles, including 1.2 million two-wheelers last fiscal year.

A department official said that with vehicle numbers increasing rapidly, the government saw the need for a new National Transport Policy. The draft has proposed the controlling of imported vehicles and removal of old vehicles, while encouraging eco-friendly electric vehicles and fuel-efficient cars. “But, the policy had remained undecided at the MoPIT.”