Kathmandu, July 30
The government’s attempt to launch a joint municipal bus service in order to provide quality transportation service to citizens has apparently failed.
The then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had announced that various municipalities under the leadership of Kathmandu Metropolitan City would establish a join company and operate a bus service in the capital and other places.
After the PM’s announcement, the then Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Hitraj Pandey had convinced 22 local units to join hands for the project. The Ministry of Finance had also agreed to provide money required to purchase 50 big-size buses.
However, the plan did not materialise owing to pressure from various interest groups, says a source at MoFALD. Though the registration process had already reach the Office of the Company Registrar, the Ministry could not cooperate. The Company Registrar had sought a Cabinet decision to move forth the process, but the Ministry did not file any proposal to discuss the issue in Cabinet.
But some officials blame new leadership of the local units for the failure. “Mayors of metropolises say they will introduce monorails and metro trains. We do not know if they are still interested in operating public bus,” an official says, “Therefore, it is almost certain that the bus company will not be established.”
