KATHMANDU: The Madhesh Province government has announced route permit discounts for electric buses as part of its plan to promote electric mobility and improve public transportation services.
Provincial Finance Minister Yubaraj Bhattarai made the announcement while presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2026/27 at the Provincial Assembly on Monday.
The budget has included various measures to encourage electric vehicles in the transport sector. The government plans to provide incentives for electric buses and construct charging stations, rest areas, and smart parking facilities through a public-private partnership model.
The provincial government will also provide route permit discounts for electric buses and build modern charging stations along major highways and urban areas to support EV adoption.
The budget also includes plans to transform transport office services into a fully digital system. Vehicle registration, driving license services, and blue book renewal processes will be converted into online payment and token-based systems to reduce crowds and discourage middlemen.
The government has also proposed establishing vehicle fitness testing centers and automated driving test tracks. It aims to improve transport management and provide safer and more efficient public transportation services.
The Madhesh government has further announced plans to encourage the conversion of petroleum-based vehicles into electric vehicles through incentive programs.
