Govt bans heavy vehicles on Narayanghat-Kathmandu route

KATHMANDU, Oct 4: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has imposed a ban on heavy vehicles, including trailers, on the route from Narayanghat in Chitwan to Kathmandu from Ghatasthapana to the full moon day, ensuring smooth and safe travel for passengers entering and exiting the Kathmandu Valley during the Dashain festival.

“Trailers and other large vehicles will be prohibited from operating on the Narayanghat to Kathmandu route from October 3 to 17,” according to the statement.

However, the DoTM decided not to halt vehicles transporting essential goods, including food items.

Spokesperson for the DoTM, Ishwaridatta Paneru, stated that this decision was made after holding discussions with the stakeholders, including the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the DoTM, the Department of Roads, Nepal Police, traffic police, transport operators, consumer organizations, Lhotse Multi-Purpose Pvt Ltd, NADA, and SIPRADI on September 24.

During the meeting, the DoTM made several decisions including the one to open road permits to the passenger vehicles all over Nepal till the full moon of Dashain. However, due to the specific nature of certain roads, the ban on specific sizes and types of public vehicles operating on those routes will remain in effect.