KATHMANDU: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has directed public passenger vehicle operators to stop only at hotels and restaurants that serve clean, hygienic and quality food.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, the department outlined three key instructions for public vehicle drivers, hotel and restaurant operators, and passengers.
The directive follows complaints about poor hygiene at roadside eateries, food exposed to flies and excessive prices. The department said the decision was made at a meeting of concerned agencies under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
Drivers have been asked to give priority to establishments that maintain proper food hygiene. Where possible, they should choose hotels and restaurants displaying food hygiene stickers issued by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
The department also warned that it is closely monitoring complaints of passengers falling ill after eating at roadside establishments. If food from a hotel or restaurant is found to have caused illness, both the vehicle driver and the restaurant operator may face strict action under existing laws.
Passengers who encounter poor food quality or overcharging can report the issue by calling Nepal Police’s emergency number, 100. They may also contact the local district administration office, district police office, traffic police office or the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control and its regional offices.
