Kathmandu, October 13
The Department of Transport Management has warned that vehicle drivers and roadside hotel and restaurant operators will face legal action if passengers fall ill after consuming food at their establishments along highways.
The department issued the warning in a notice on Tuesday following a meeting of stakeholders at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development.
According to the department, drivers of public passenger vehicles must prioritise stopping at hotels and restaurants that serve clean, hygienic and quality food. Where possible, they should choose establishments displaying food hygiene stickers issued by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
The department said it had received complaints that passengers were falling ill after consuming low-quality snacks and meals at hotels and restaurants along highways. Government agencies are closely monitoring the situation, it added.
If investigations establish that passengers fell ill because of food served at such establishments, the department warned that the drivers concerned and the hotel or restaurant operators would face strict action under prevailing laws.
Passengers who encounter poor food hygiene, substandard meals or overcharging at hotels and restaurants can report the incidents by calling Nepal Police’s emergency helpline at 100.
They can also file complaints with the district administration office, district police office, traffic police office or the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
