Transport Federations calls for Home Minister to resolve problems of transport sector

KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association – the umbrella organisation of transport entrepreneurs across the country has urged Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to take initiative for resolving the problems of the transport sector.

A delegation of the chairpersons of three transport entrepreneurs associations headed by Senior Vice-Chairperson of the Federation Saroj Sitaula on Wednesday met with Home Minister Lekhak and urged to put efforts in resolving the problems of the transport sector in view of the approaching festivals.

Sharing that over Rs 10 trillion has been invested in 400,000 vehicles of low, middle and self-employed entrepreneurs in the transport sector, Federation’s General Secretary Dekanath Gautam urged the minister to take initiatives for addressing the issues of the transport sector, including security of the vehicles.

At present, seven people are being killed and 40 injured in road accidents every day. Stating that some national highways and auxiliary roads have been damaged due to the approaching festivals, he said drawing the attention of the Home Minister to maintain the highways at the earliest.

The Federation has demanded immediate implementation of the report it had submitted after studying the incident of two vehicles being buried in a landslide at Simaltal in Chitwan on July 12.

Similarly, the report submitted by the Transport Reform Recommendation Task Force formed under the coordination of former Secretary Sharad Chandra Poudel in January 2022, should be implemented as soon as possible.

The Federation has demanded the formation of a transport authority to make the transport sector systematic, dignified, consumer, labor and technology-friendly and reduce accidents, adjust the transport fare due to the increase in the price of petroleum products and the increase in the price of parts.

Also, the Federation called for the implementation of the apex court verdict in connection with the 20-year-old vehicles.