Metropolis Issues Three-Day Ultimatum to Operate Buses Only From Within Bus Park

KATHMANDU — The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has given bus companies a final three-day deadline to operate passenger vehicles in an integrated manner from New Bus Park. A public notice was issued on Chaitra 25 urging long and short-route bus services to operate only from within the bus park. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said that companies defying the notice have been given a final opportunity to comply with the integrated system within three days.

On this matter, which is linked to traffic convenience and urban safety, KMC has decided to coordinate with Nepal Police and form a joint monitoring team. Acting Mayor Dangol has directed Bishnu Prasad Joshi, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Force, to prepare an integrated action plan for monitoring and regulation in coordination with Nepal Police.

“Along with the bus park issue, residents of areas like Thamel where night businesses operate have been complaining about noise pollution, unwanted activities in spa businesses, and problems caused by hostel operators,” Dangol said. “If Nepal Police and the Metropolitan Police Force conduct joint monitoring within their respective jurisdictions, it will yield visible results in management.”

On the same issue, Additional Inspector General Ishwar Karki expressed the view that urban security should be enhanced through technology rather than just manpower. Navaraj Adhikari, Chief of the Valley Traffic Police Office, said that coordinated programs between the metropolis and traffic police are necessary for road signs and road discipline.

According to police statistics, an average of 700 public transport vehicles depart from Kathmandu daily. Among them, around 350 vehicles have been parking, picking up passengers, and dropping them off outside the bus park. Currently, only an average of 340 vehicles operate from the bus park daily. The New Bus Park, spread over 161 ropanis, has the capacity to manage up to 750 vehicles.