KATHMANDU: The Bagmati Provincial Government has resumed the registration of public transport vehicles. This comes despite a directive from the Department of Transport Management to halt registrations nationwide.
On May 21, the department had instructed all provinces and local bodies to suspend public transport registration indefinitely. However, after two weeks without a new framework from the central government, the province decided to continue the process.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Transport of Bagmati has directed its offices to resume registrations as per the previous system. The decision follows pressure from transport entrepreneurs and stakeholders.
Operators had raised concerns over financial stress. They said halted registrations were increasing bank interest, loan installments, and worker expenses. They had been urging authorities to reopen the process.
Transport offices had also sought clarification. They said no official letter had been received to stop registrations. This created confusion on whether to follow the department’s directive.
Ministry spokesperson Sunita Gajurel said the decision was made at the ministerial level. Offices have now been instructed to continue registrations as before until further notice.
She added that the ministry is coordinating with stakeholders. The decision was taken after repeated requests not to halt registrations.
Officials at the Transport Management Office in Ekantakuna confirmed the update. They said they had only seen the department’s directive through media reports. No formal instruction had been issued earlier.
Following their query, the ministry has now clarified to continue with the existing system. Public transport registration will now proceed normally in Bagmati Province.
Other provinces have not made any decision so far.
As per constitutional provisions, public transport falls under provincial jurisdiction. Provinces have authority over vehicle registration, taxation, and transport management.
The department had ordered the halt citing rising air pollution, vehicle congestion, and traffic issues. It invoked Section 24 (3) of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049.
The provision allows the department to suspend vehicle registration if necessary in the public interest due to environmental, traffic, or road-related concerns.
