Kathmandu, October 1
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office is preparing to make fire extinguishers mandatory in public passenger vehicles, alongside route permits, as part of efforts to make public transport safer and more passenger-friendly.
The traffic police office plans to strengthen regular inspections of public vehicles and tighten enforcement of requirements directly related to passenger safety.
In coordination with the relevant authorities, police will regularly inspect the condition of public vehicles, required documents, route permits and safety equipment.
Although public vehicles are required to obtain permits to operate on designated routes, police say they continue to receive complaints about vehicles operating without necessary documents or outside their authorised routes. Authorities are preparing to tighten enforcement of route permit requirements to address such practices.
Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office and Senior Superintendent of Police, said preparations were underway to make fire extinguishers mandatory in all public passenger vehicles.
He said vehicles can catch fire at any time due to electrical or technical problems, fuel leaks and other causes, making it necessary to have equipment on board that can be used to control a fire at an early stage.
“The rule will be strictly implemented in all public vehicles,” Kafle said.
He said the fire extinguishers installed in public vehicles would have to be in working condition and suitable for use.
Traffic police spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi said authorities would regularly monitor the condition of public vehicles, drivers’ competence, required documents, route permits and the condition and usability of fire extinguishers.
“Vehicles that fail to meet standards, including requirements for fire extinguishers, will be brought under action during inspections,” he said. “Passenger safety is our first priority. Meeting requirements including route permits is a mandatory condition for ensuring passenger safety.”
Subedi said effective implementation of safety standards was particularly important during festivals and other periods when passenger numbers and vehicle movement increase, raising the risk of accidents and other incidents.
The traffic police have urged public vehicle owners and operators to fully comply with existing laws and safety standards.
They have also urged operators not to be negligent on matters directly affecting passenger safety and to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of their vehicles.
