{"id":17474,"date":"2026-05-25T10:36:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=17474"},"modified":"2026-05-25T10:36:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T04:51:31","slug":"government-halts-registration-of-new-public-vehicles-entrepreneurs-in-uncertainty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=17474","title":{"rendered":"Government Halts Registration of New Public Vehicles, Entrepreneurs in Uncertainty<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kathmandu. The Department of Transport Management on Thursday issued a circular to all 44 transport offices across the country, instructing them to halt the registration of new public vehicles, including electric ones. Citing increasing traffic congestion, air pollution, vehicle pressure on roads, and the disorderly state of public transport, the Department stated that the registration has been suspended until further notice under Section 24, Sub-section (3) of the ‘Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049’. This provision empowers the Department to suspend registration on the grounds of public interest, environmental pollution, road conditions, or vehicle pressure.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce issued a statement on Friday, demanding that the government withdraw the decision, stating that the circular issued without prior notice has put billions in investments by automobile entrepreneurs, banks, and investors at risk.<\/p>\n

Punya Prasad Sitaula (Saroj), President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, the umbrella organisation of transport entrepreneurs nationwide, stated that they have not yet formulated a position on the matter. “The government must have certainly made this decision after due consideration. We have not yet formulated an official stance. We will discuss this and form a position within a day or two,” he said.<\/p>\n

The government’s decision, made without prior notice, has left entrepreneurs in a state of confusion. They remain uncertain regarding vehicles already at customs. “If the state intends to manage old vehicles and work with new procedures, then this decision is indeed welcome,” said Bholanarayan Regmi, a representative of the Western Nepal Bus Entrepreneurs Association. He added that the Association has not yet issued an official stance on the matter, despite the government having already taken the decision.<\/p>\n

In the context of fuel shortages caused by the Middle East conflict, he also drew the government’s attention towards converting engine vehicles to electric. “Oil is becoming increasingly expensive. Engine vehicles consume more fuel. There is no telling how long this will last or how much further it will rise. Will the representatives in government take the initiative to make these electric?” he questioned. He also noted that there is no clarity on what will happen to vehicles stranded at the border customs points due to the halted registration.<\/p>\n

Uday Dhungana, another entrepreneur operating buses on the Kathmandu\u2013Syangja route, also stated that the government’s decision was welcome. “I am not an owner myself. However, if the government’s intention is to remove buses in poor condition and allow only newer ones, I believe accidents may also decrease,” he said. He expressed hope that the government’s decision could also curb the unhealthy competition created by operating too many vehicles on the same route.<\/p>\n

In a related development, the Infrastructure Development Committee of Nepal’s Federal Parliament has stated that the government suspended registration in order to operate public transport in a scientific manner.<\/p>\n

“From a policy perspective, there is no record anywhere of how many vehicles are operating on which route, what the capacity is, how old they are, or whether they have been renewed. The state of public transport is chaotic. Therefore, the government’s objective is to conduct a scientific study for some time and establish a management system,” said Committee Chairman and transport expert Ashish Gajurel.<\/p>\n

He clarified that entrepreneurs need not panic, as the registration process would only be suspended for a short period. “The aim is to strengthen the database in order to digitally monetise vehicles operating across the country. Registration will resume after this improvement,” he said. He added that it is necessary to ascertain whether vehicles on any given route are being operated as per necessity or if unhealthy competition exists, and policy should be adopted accordingly to either open or control registration. He stated that this move would help curb the arbitrary practice of running imported vehicles on any route.<\/p>\n

According to the latest data from the Department of Transport Management, the total number of registered vehicles across the country stands at 5,850,432. Of these, motorcycles account for the largest share at 4,744,072. Similarly, 366,723 cars, jeeps, and taxis are registered. There are 71,577 buses, 41,986 minibuses and trucks, 190,064 tractors, and 73,606 e-rickshaws in operation.<\/p>\n

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